DETERMINANTS OF DIVIDEND PAYOUT DECISIONS OF ORGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS FROM INDIAN AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY

The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze the variables that significantly affect dividend payout decisions of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) from Indian automobile industry listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). Analysis is based on balanced panel data with 180 observations of 12 companies over a period of 15 years i.e. from 2003-04 to 2017-18. Descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, and static panel data regression analysis including regression diagnostics have been used as statistical tools to achieve the purpose of the study. STATA software was used to analyze the data in the present study. The findings indicate that the significant determinants of dividend payout decisions of sample companies during the study period were profitability, size, book value per share, tangibility of assets, leverage and price earnings ratio. The findings of the study support various theories of dividend policy viz. Signalling, Pecking Order, and Transaction Cost. As per authors’ knowledge, this is the first study focusing on the determinants of dividend payout decisions of OEMs in India using the data from 2003-04 to 2017-18. The empirical findings of the present study will provide useful insight pertaining to dividend payout decisions to various stakeholders of different companies and will also be helpful to the future researchers

Adoption of Online Home Services an Empirical Study of Consumer Behaviour in Ludhiana City

The advent of technology has revolutionized the service industry, particularly in the realm of home services. This study aims to investigate the nuanced relationship between demographic factors and the adoption of online home services by customers. Recognizing the increasing prevalence of digital platforms offering services ranging from home maintenance to professional consultations, understanding the demographic influences on consumer adoption becomes imperative for service providers and marketers. This research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews, to gather comprehensive insights into the preferences and behaviors of consumers in the online home services sector. The study focuses on key demographic variables such as age, income, education, and geographic location to discern patterns and correlations that may influence the likelihood of customer adoption. The findings are expected to contribute to both academic literature and industry practices by shedding light on the factors that drive or inhibit the adoption of online home services among different demographic groups. Moreover, implications for marketing strategies and platform design may emerge from understanding how customer demographics intersect with their preferences, trust levels, and technological literacy. As the digital landscape evolves, this research aims to provide actionable insights for businesses aiming to tailor their services to diverse customer segments. The outcomes of this study will contribute to a deeper understanding of the socio-economic and cultural factors influencing the adoption of online home services, fostering a more informed and effective approach for businesses operating in this dynamic and rapidly growing sector

Biodegradation of Indigo Carmine Dye by Laccase from Bacillus licheniformis NS2324

Indigo carmine dye is used in many industries like textile, paper, cosmetics, etc. It is specially used in textile industries for dyeing denim. The untreated water discharged from these industries, especially the textile industry, poses a significant environmental threat. The conventional physicochemical methods used in treating industrial effluent are very expensive and cause secondary pollution. In the present study, an extracellular laccase-producing Bacillus licheniformis NS2324 was isolated, and a crude enzyme was used to degrade indigo carmine dye. The conditions needed for decolorisation were standardised. Optimisation studies for dye decolorisation by NS2324 laccase revealed that the enzyme was able to decolorize dye efficiently at 50 oC temperature, pH 8, with an enzyme dose of 10 IU/ml after 6 hours. Up to 96.79±1.06 per cent decolorisation was achieved under optimised conditions without the use of any mediator of laccase. Complete degradation of indigo dye by laccase in the absence of mediator makes the present study very useful for treating textile effluent from the denim industry

Unusual histopathological findings of lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei: A case report

Lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei (LMDF) is a chronic granulomatous disorder affecting the face in young adults with sudden eruption of asymptomatic skin colored to red-brown papules on cheeks, eyelids and few extrafacial sites including ears and neck. There has been disputation about the origin of the disease, but the consensus is that it is an immune response to the pilosebaceous unit. Various histopathological studies have found granulomas in association with pilosebaceous units. The present case discusses the rare occurrence of foreign body granuloma surrounding a ruptured infundibular cyst in the case of LMDF. The role of a ruptured infundibular cyst in the induction of an inflammatory reaction resulting in the development of granuloma in LMDF cannot be ruled out

Interobserver and Intraobserver Reliability of Cephalometric Measurements Performed on Smartphone-Based Application and Computer-Based Imaging Software: A Comparative Study

Objective:The aim was to compare the reliability of cephalometric analysis using a smartphone-based application with conventional computer-based imaging software.Methods:Pre-treatment cephalometric radiographs of 50 subjects (26 males, 24 females; mean age, 19.2 years; ±4.2) were traced using the OneCeph® application and Dolphin imaging software®. Two independent observers identified seventeen landmarks and measured fourteen cephalometric measurements at an interval of. Interobserver and intraobserver reliability were evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Student’s t-test was used to compare the means of two measurement methods for observer 1 and observer 2. Additionally, the time taken to complete the cephalometric measurements was also compared between the two methods.Results:Good (ICC 0.75-0.90) to excellent (ICC 0.90-1.00) interobserver and intraobserver reliability was observed for all hard and soft tissue measurements with both methods. No significant differences were found between the two measurement methods for both observers (p<0.05). OneCeph application took significantly more time to complete the analysis than Dolphin imaging software (p<0.001).Conclusion:Cephalometric measurements made through a smartphone-based application showed good to excellent interobserver and intraobserver reliability and are comparable with the computer-based software. Therefore, it can be recommended for clinical use. The time taken to complete the cephalometric measurements was more with a smartphone-based application (OneCeph application) compared to computer-based software (Dolphin imaging software)

Prospective, multicentre study of screening, investigation and management of hyponatraemia after subarachnoid haemorrhage in the UK and Ireland

Background: Hyponatraemia often occurs after subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). However, its clinical significance and optimal management are uncertain. We audited the screening, investigation and management of hyponatraemia after SAH. Methods: We prospectively identified consecutive patients with spontaneous SAH admitted to neurosurgical units in the United Kingdom or Ireland. We reviewed medical records daily from admission to discharge, 21 days or death and extracted all measurements of serum sodium to identify hyponatraemia (&lt;135 mmol/L). Main outcomes were death/dependency at discharge or 21 days and admission duration &gt;10 days. Associations of hyponatraemia with outcome were assessed using logistic regression with adjustment for predictors of outcome after SAH and admission duration. We assessed hyponatraemia-free survival using multivariable Cox regression. Results: 175/407 (43%) patients admitted to 24 neurosurgical units developed hyponatraemia. 5976 serum sodium measurements were made. Serum osmolality, urine osmolality and urine sodium were measured in 30/166 (18%) hyponatraemic patients with complete data. The most frequently target daily fluid intake was &gt;3 L and this did not differ during hyponatraemic or non-hyponatraemic episodes. 26% (n/N=42/164) patients with hyponatraemia received sodium supplementation. 133 (35%) patients were dead or dependent within the study period and 240 (68%) patients had hospital admission for over 10 days. In the multivariable analyses, hyponatraemia was associated with less dependency (adjusted OR (aOR)=0.35 (95% CI 0.17 to 0.69)) but longer admissions (aOR=3.2 (1.8 to 5.7)). World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grade I–III, modified Fisher 2–4 and posterior circulation aneurysms were associated with greater hazards of hyponatraemia. Conclusions: In this comprehensive multicentre prospective-adjusted analysis of patients with SAH, hyponatraemia was investigated inconsistently and, for most patients, was not associated with changes in management or clinical outcome. This work establishes a basis for the development of evidence-based SAH-specific guidance for targeted screening, investigation and management of high-risk patients to minimise the impact of hyponatraemia on admission duration and to improve consistency of patient care

EFFICIENT FINGERPRINT RECOGNITION USING WAVELET TRANSFORMS

Abstract-Fingerprints have long been used as a reliable biometric feature for private identification. Fingerprint classification refers to the matter of assignment fingerprints to 1 of many pre specified categories. Automatic classification may be used as a pre-processing step for fingerprint matching, reducing matching time and complexness by narrowing the search area to a set of a usually large info. Automatic fingerprint identification is one among the foremost vital biometric technologies. so as to expeditiously match fingerprints during a massive info, Associate in Nursing classification theme is critical. Fingerprint classification, that refers to assignment a fingerprint image into variety of pre-specified categories, provides a possible classification mechanism. In observe, but massive intra-class and tiny interclass variations in world pattern configuration and poor quality of fingerprint pictures build the classification drawback terribly tough. A fingerprint classification algorithmic program needs a sturdy feature extractor that ought to be ready to reliable extract salient options from input pictures

Novel combination of NB-UVB phototherapy with bFGF-related decapeptide 0.1% and CO2 laser in the treatment of stable, non-segmental vitiligo

Objective: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a combination therapy involving NB-UVB phototherapy, bFGF-related decapeptide, and fractional CO2 laser in stable non-segmental vitiligo cases. Method: A prospective interventional study was conducted on clinically stable, non-segmental vitiligo patients. The combination therapy was administered for 16 weeks, and patients were followed up for 12 weeks. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.0, with statistical significance set at p 50%) with perifollicular repigmentation being commonly observed. The time for initial repigmentation was as early as 4 weeks. Adverse effects were mild and transient, with no recurrence observed during the follow-up period. Conclusion: This novel combination therapy demonstrated significant repigmentation rates in stable non-segmental vitiligo and presents a potential safe and efficacious therapeutic option in clinical settings