Complex effects of Nitrogen Pollution and Grazing on Nectar resources of the Adult Bay Checkerspot Butterfly (Euphydryas editha bayensis)

Recent anthropogenic increases in atmospheric nitrogen due to urbanization and combustion have had many adverse effects on natural systems, including loss of biodiversity, especially in sensitive habitats. One such region is the serpentine ecosystem of Coyote Ridge in San Jose, CA, the last refuge for recurring populations of the federally threatened Bay Checkerspot Butterfly (BCB) (Euphydryas editha bayensis). Increases in non-native grass cover and decreases in native forb cover (including cover of the BCB’s native larval host plants) have been attributed to the fertilizing effects of increased atmospheric nitrogen deposition. To counteract this effect, grazing has been implemented as a grassland management strategy. However, the effects of nitrogen enhancement and grazing, and the combined effects on shoulder-season nectar resources, have not been previously studied. This research aimed to fill this gap by utilizing a split block experimental setting at Coyote Ridge with four treatments, comprising of fertilized, unfertilized, grazed and ungrazed plots. According to the study results, nitrogen enhancement tended to reduce the abundance of nectar resources in both grazed and ungrazed plots. It also tended to reduce native vegetation in the grazed plots, while potentially increasing its prevalence in the ungrazed plots. These findings suggest that the effects of grazing and nitrogen on serpentine ecosystems are complex, highlighting the need to reduce nitrogen deposition

Employee Obsolescence and Counterproductive Work Behaviour among Employees of Government Organizations and Departments

Employees can survive in the organizations only if they become accustomed continuously with the changing environment. Employees working in different field areas confront with frequent changes and technological innovations at their work place. Employees who are not able to match with such changes of work place get frustrated and may indulge in Counterproductive Work Behavior. Present research has focused on the issues of Employee Obsolescence and Counterproductive Work Behavior among employees. To conduct the research, a sample of 224 employees working at various positions in government organizations and departments was selected randomly on availability basis. Chosen subjects were tested for employee obsolescence and Counterproductive Work Behavior by using Professional Obsolescence Scale (Chauhan 2000) and Counterproductive Work Behavior Checklist (CWB-C) (Paul E. Spector, 2006) respectively. Tested subjects were divided into two groups of 72 subjects each. These two groups of obsolete and non-obsolete employees were tested for their Counterproductive Work Behavior. Findings of the study show that mean score for Counterproductive Work Behavior of obsolete employee’s group (116.67) was very high in comparison to the mean score (64.01) of non-obsolete employee’s group. To examine the difference between mean score values for Counterproductive Work Behavior among obsolete and non-obsolete employee’s group, t-test was used. T-test value (t = 3.57, p < 0.05) shows that there was significant difference between the mean score values of obsolete employee’s group and non-obsolete employee’s group which means there was positive and significant difference in the tendency of Counterproductive Work Behavior among obsolete and non-obsolete employee’s groups. Obsolete employees were having higher tendency of Counterproductive Work Behavior in comparison to non-obsolete employees. Keywords: Counterproductive Work Behavior, Employee Obsolescence, Employees, Technological Changes, Obsolete, Non-Obsolet

A retrospective comparative study of feto-maternal outcome in first and second stage caesarean section

Background: The incidence of caesarean section has increased tremendously over the recent years. The most common indications of caesarean section are fetal distress and previous caesarean section during first stage caesarean section and cephalo-pelvic disproportion and fetal distress during second stage caesarean section. The objective of this study was to compare maternal and fetal outcomes between first and second stage caesarean section.Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at a tertiary hospital over a period of 6 months. Comparison was done between two groups, women who underwent caesarean section during first stage (group I) and during second stage (group II). Data was collected and compared on basis of maternal and fetal outcomes.Results: Among maternal complications, PPH occurred in significantly higher number of women in group II (21%) than in group I (9%). 21% of women in group II required blood transfusion and 7% admitted to ICU. Bladder injury and uterine incision extension was seen in more number of cases in group II (6% and 7% respectively), difference being statistically insignificant. Neonatal complications were significantly higher in group II.Conclusions: Second stage caesarean sections are associated with significant maternal and fetal morbidities, thus necessitating presence of senior obstetrician at time of decision and conductance of procedure

MRKH syndrome: a review of literature

Primary amenorrhea is defined as failure to achieve menarche till age of 14 years in absence of normal secondary sexual characters or till 16 years irrespective of secondary sexual characters. The most common cause of primary amenorrhea is gonadal pathology followed by Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKH syndrome). MRKH syndrome is a rare congenital disorder characterised by uterine and vaginal aplasia. It occurs due to failure of development of Müllerian duct. Its incidence is 1 per 4500 female births. Mostly girls present with primary amenorrhea. It is characterised by presence of normal secondary sexual characteristics, normal 46 XX genotype, normal ovarian function in most of the cases and absent or underdeveloped uterus and upper part (2/3) of vagina. It is of two types: type A is isolated type while type B is associated with other renal/skeletal/cardiac anomalies. Treatment includes psychological counselling and vaginoplasty. Vaginoplasty can be done by various non-surgical and surgical techniques. The authors hereby review the literature of MRKH syndrome regarding its embryology, etiopathogenesis, approach to work up and management

An Overview of Biological and Synthetic Aspects of Thiazole Derivatives in Heterocyclic Chemistry

These overviews signify a study covering the literature on thiazole derivatives in heterocyclic chemistry. This brief analysis as well provides a revise on current reports and demonstrates the utility and the effectiveness of this approach. The data on the process of synthesis, chemical reactions, and biological activity of these heterocycles available over the preceding years are assessing here. In the last few decades, a lot of effort has been prepared on thiazole ring to discover novel compounds associated to this scaffold. This review presents the advanced improvement on the proposed and growth of diverse thiazole derivatives. It is known as the building block in organic synthesis, which provides as an important outline for the improvement of diverse therapeutic agents and illustrate a broad variety of activities. These articles furnish a widespread explanation of the synthetic and biological value of thiazole engaged in the design and synthesis of diverse type of compounds encloses fused heterocyclic rings with more importance on latest literature

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF AMOXICILLIN-TRIHYDRATE, METRONIDAZOLE AND FAMOTIDINE LOADED-MUCOADHESIVE GASTRO-RETENTIVE FILMS

Objective: To developed mucoadhesive gastro-retentive films of amoxicillin trihydrate, metronidazole and famotidine by using polymers and plasticizer for eradication of H. pylori infection. Methods: The mucoadhesive gastro-retentive films of amoxicillin trihydrate, metronidazole and famotidine were prepared using solvent casting method. The optimized gastro-retentive films were characterized by using various parameters such as DSC, drug content uniformity, in vitro drug release, FTIR spectroscopy, SEM and ex-vivo drug permeation studies across the mucous membrane. The prepared mucoadhesive gastro-retentive films were evaluated with in vitro growth inhibition study and in vivo bacterial clearance study. Results: The FTIR spectra indicated that there was no any interaction between the drugs and polymer. Drugs content was found to be in the range and there was no significant change in the surface morphology of the films after under storage. The bioadhesive property of prepared films exhibited highly bioadhesive property when increased the amount of chitosan and PAA (Polyacrylic Acid) used. We found that CH-PAA IPC (Chitosan-Polyacrylic Acid Inter-polymer Complex) films exhibited greater bioadhesion. The percent of growth inhibition by using each drug such as amoxicillin, metronidazole and famotidine was found to be 51.61%, 46.59% and 34.76%, respectively whereas the combination of drugs were exhibited highest % growth inhibition. The % inhibition was found to be 81.00%. The optimized formulation CH-PAA IPC (C1P2G2) and CH film (C1G2) showed highest growth inhibition of H. pylori bacteria. The growth inhibition was found to be 96.77% and 92.26%, respectively. In vivo Bacterial Clearance Studies showed that the drugs loaded CH-PAA IPC film (C1P2G2) formulation exhibited better clearance from infection than CH film (C1G2) formulation and plain drugs solution at same doses. Drugs loaded CH-PAA IPC film formulation was found to be effective in the treatment of H. pylori infections effectively. Conclusion: The developed gastro-retentive films of amoxicillin trihydrate, metronidazole and famotidine combination could be used for batter management of mucosal ulcer disease and eradication of H. pylori bacteria

Adnexal torsion-symptoms, diagnosis and management: a review of literature

Adnexal torsion accounts for 3% of all gynaecologic emergencies. It consists of spectrum of pathologies including ovarian torsion, ovarian torsion with tubal torsion and isolated fallopian tube torsion. It usually presents with acute abdominal pain along with gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. But due to presence of non-specific clinical features, diagnosis of adnexal torsion is a difficult task which requires high degree of clinical suspicion. Ultrasound with Doppler is helpful in its diagnosis. But even Doppler studies can miss the cases of adnexal torsion. So, laparoscopy is the gold standard for its diagnostic evaluation and simultaneous management. Conservative surgery should be preferred to preserve the future reproductive function. But in some cases such as infarcted ovaries, older women and suspicion of malignancy, adnexa may be required to be removed. Thus, prompt diagnosis and timely management of adnexal torsion is required to prevent the irreversible damage to adnexa. The authors here present a review of literature concerning the clinical features, diagnosis and management of adnexal torsion via a case series of six cases

Comments on the Refractive Index of Tin Sulphide Nano-crystalline Thin Films

The refractive indices of nano-crystalline thin films of Tin (IV) Sulphide (SnS) were investigated here. The experimental data conformed well with the single oscillator model for refractive indices. Based on the this, we explain the increasing trend of refractive index to the improvement in crystal ordering with increasing grain size.Comment: Nine figure