Measurement of Investment Contribution of Service Sector in India’s Economic Growth

This paper aims to measure the investment contribution of service sector in India’s economic growth. This study brings in a novel approach by using the national income accounting framework and Harrod Domar Model to quantify services investment contribution. The study makes a distinction between public and private investment within service sector, and identifies the sub-sectors which are major contributors. The services contribution to Foreign Direct Investment into the Indian economy is also measured. This study finds that private investment started exceeding public investment within service sector from 1994-95 onwards. Public administration and defence is found to be the major sub-sector contributing to public investment during the pre-reform phase. Real estate and business services is found to be the major sub-sector contributing to private investment during the post-reform phase. Actual growth rate of service sector is found to be higher than the predicted growth rate during most of the study period

Studies on osmotic adaptations with respect to haemolymph osmolality and changes in gill structure in Metapenaeus dobsoni (Miers).

The development of osmoregulatory powers is closely dependent on the adaptation of the marine animals to one of the most stressful and exacting aquatic biotopes, the brackish water environment. A major problem encountered by the estuarine organisms is salinity change due to the tidal cycle and climatic conditions

Mapping women’s role in small scale fisheries value chain in India for fisheries sustainability

Sustainability in small scale fisheries is receiving wider acceptance worldwide as the system faces different kinds of exploitations. Gender can play a significant role in achieving sustainability as they are the primary beneficiaries in small scale fisheries. Exploring their level of participation in resource use can provide a database that functions as the key determinants for sustainability. This article looks for empirical evidences on the role of men and women in small scale fisheries through gender structure analysis. The indigenous communities (n=154) in Vazhachal Forest Division, Kerala, southern state in India is considered for the study. Methods adopted includes household survey using semi structured questionnaire, transect walks, focus groups and direct observations. Results reveal that although higher percentage of men (66.20%), women’s role is substantial (33.80%) in fisheries value chain including pre harvest, harvest and post-harvest sector. Their presence had a significant relation in supporting men in fisheries activities like collection of baits (χ2= 6.189, p= 0.013), accompanying men in fishing (χ2= 4.153; p= 0.042), sorting of fishes (χ2= 3.566, p=0.059), processing of fishes (χ2=9.776, p= 0.002) and in mending of nets (χ2= 4.40, p=0.042). Results, further, reveal that men and women have unique and overlapping roles in small scale fisheries. The key findings of the study provide quantitative evidence to develop strategies for small scale fisheries sustainability

Performance Evaluation of Ferns for Cut Green and Landscape Purpose

Ferns can be used as ground covers, specimen plants and for group, background and border planting in landscape. They can also be used as fillers in bouquets and flower arrangements. Hence, the objective of the study was to evaluate the performance of different fern species and to identify the suitable species for commercial cultivation. Eleven species of ferns belonging to different genera viz., Adiantum tenerum, Asplenium nidus, Asplenium longissimum, Asplenium scolopendrium, Diaplazium acrostichoides, Nephrolepis biserrata ‘furcans’, Nephrolepis exaltata ‘chidisii’, Nephrolepis exaltata, Bostoniensis compacta, Nephrolepis cordifolia, Nephrolepis biserrata miniata and Pteris ensiformis were evaluated for growth pattern and suitability for landscape and commercial uses. Vegetative characters like eplant height and spread were highest in Asplenium nidus and a maximum number of leaves were observed in Adiantum tenerum. Based on growth pattern they were classified under tall, medium and dwarf groups Asplenium nidus and Nephrolepis biserrata miniata were grouped under the tall category. The species which come under medium category are Asplenium longissimum, Diaplazium acrostichoides, Nephrolepis biserrata ‘Furcans’, Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Chidisii’, Nephrolepis exaltata, Bostoniensis compacta, Nephrolepis cordifolia, Pteris ensiformis and Asplenium scolopendrium where as Adiantum tenerum comes under dwarf category. All species evaluated were found to be suitable for pot plants. Nephrolepis biserrata miniata, Nephrolepis biserrata furcans, Nephrolepis cordifolia, Asplenium nidus and Diaplazium acrostichoides can be recommended as houseplants. Nephrolepis biserrata-Miniata, Nephrolepis biserrata furcans and Nephrolepis cordifolia can be used as border plants in landscapes. Nephrolepis exaltata, Bostoniensis compacta, Asplenium longissimum and Pteris ensiformis were observed to be attractive in hanging baskets. Nephrolepis biserrata-Miniata, Nephrolepis exaltata chidisii, Nephrolepis exaltata, Bostoniensis compacta and Diaplazium acrostichoides are suitable for bouquets and flower arrangements

Phytochemicals characterization of nutraceutical enriched fruits and nuts spread

The present study aimed to formulate a nutraceutical enriched fruits and nuts spreads and analyze the presence of phytochemicals in the formulated spread. The pumpkin seeds and cucumber seeds were roasted at 150° C for 15 mins and made into powder. The seed powder was mixed to the pulp of ?-carotene rich fruits like mango, papaya and muskmelon in order to make fruits and nuts spread. Treatments like Mango with pumpkin seed powder (T1), Papaya with pumpkin seed powder (T2), Muskmelon with pumpkin seed powder (T3), Mango with cucumber seed powder (T4), Papaya with cucumber seed powder (T5) and Muskmelon with cucumber seed powder (T6). The fruits and nuts spreads were analyzed for the presence of phytochemicals ?-carotene, polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids and antioxidant activity. The formulated fruits and nuts spreads were packed in polypropylene boxes, glass bottles and stored under refrigerated condition at 4°C. ?-carotene content was found to be high (634.21?g/g) in Mango with Pumpkin seed powder spread (T1), tannin content was higher (52.61 mg/g) in Papaya with Pumpkin seed powder spread (T2), flavonoid components were higher (3.25 mg/g) in Mango with Pumpkin seed powder spread (T1), and polyphenols content were found to be high (59.33 mg/g) in Papaya with Cucumber seed powder spread (T5). The antioxidant property was high in the Mango with Pumpkin seed powder spread (T1) when compared to all other treatments. Pumpkin seeds comprised of excellent amount of bioactive compounds. The pumpkin seed incorporated spread showed a high level of phytochemicals when compared to other spreads. This was ready to eat spread which had 3 months of shelf life under refrigerated condition is preferred for people of all age groups

Morphophysiological characters of Dendrobium var. Yellow Splash as influenced by bioinoculants and different levels of benzyladenine

Dendrobium is the most commonly grown tropical orchid species in India and Kerala. They are highly specific about their nutrient requirement. The use of bio-inoculants in crop production of ornamentals has opened up a new possibility of using them for improving the growth and yield of orchids. Hence the objective of study was to evaluate the response of Dendrobium cv. Yellow Splash to different kinds of bio-inoculants viz., AMF, Azospirillum and a microbial consortia PGPR Mix – 1 developed from KAU, along with 50, 100 and 150 ppm of benzyladenine. The experiment consisted of ten different treatments involving bio-inoculants and benzyladenine. Plant height and number of leaves were maximum in the plants inoculated with AMF along with 100 ppm benzyladenine. Treatment comprising of Azospirillum and 100 ppm benzyladenine was superior in terms of other morphological parameters like leaf breadth, leaf area and plant spread. Maximum leaf length and highest number of shoots were observed in plants inoculated with Azospirillumand 150 ppm benzyladenine. Considering the floral parameters, both quantitative and qualitative attributes were found to be superior in the treatment consisting of AMF along with 150 ppm benzyladenine. Highest root length was observed under the treatment AMF along with 100 ppm benzyladenine while number of roots and root volume were maximum in the plants inoculated with Azospirillum and 150 ppm benzyladenine. Plants inoculated with AMF and 100 ppm benzyladenine had highest chlorophyll content while highest stomatal frequency was observed under the treatment Azospirillum and 100 ppm BA. From the study it could be concluded that inoculation of Dendrobium orchids with bio-inoculants like AMF and Azospirillum can significantly improve the morphological characters of the plants which in turn influence the production of quality spikes

Immune checkpoint inhibitors in pre-treated gastric cancer patients: Results from a literature-based meta-analysis

Immunotherapy has recently changed the treatment of several cancers. We performed a literature-based meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials to assess the efficacy of the novel immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in metastatic gastric cancer. The main outcome was overall survival. Based on age (cut-off agreed at 65 years), tumour location (gastric vs. gastro-oesophageal junction), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) status, sex and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) status (1 vs. 0), we scheduled a subgroup analysis for the overall survival. Three studies were included in the analysis for a total of 1456 cases (811 cases were in the experimental group and 645 cases in the control group). The pooled analysis showed improved overall survival in the experimental arm in the absence of statistical significance (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.64\u20131.18; p = 0.37). The subgroup of patients with PD-L1-positive tumours (HR = 0.82 vs. 1.04) and gastro-oesophageal junction cancer (HR = 0.82 vs. 1.04) showed a statistically significant advantage of overall survival. This study supports the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the subgroup of patients with metastatic gastric cancer with PD-L1-positive and gastro-oesophageal junction tumour location. Future studies are needed with the aim of identifying reliable predictive biomarkers of ICI efficacy

A Study To Assess The Knowledge On Post-Operative Self-Care Activities Among Patients Who Have Undergone Cataract Surgery At A Selected Hospital, Malaysia.

Introduction: Cataract is the leading cause of blindness (WHO, 2011). It will give an impact on physical and emotional status of an individual with cataract. World Health Organization also has the mission towards eliminating blindness by year 2020. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge of post-operative self-care activities among patients who have undergone cataract surgery in a selected hospital, Malaysia. The theoretical framework used is Dorothea Orem’s self-care model.   Methodology: A cross sectional design was used in this study. Non-probability convenient sampling method was used to choose 90 subjects. Data was collected by face-to face interview using Cataract Postoperative Self-care Knowledge Questionnaire. The results were analysed using descriptive statistics with (SPSS) 16.0 version 2007 and data were presented in tables and pie charts.   Results: The results showed that most of the subjects did not restrict their diet after the cataract surgery and knew that infection or injury might occur after surgery. There were 43% of the subjects, who have chosen the correct technique of cleaning the eye before instilling the eye drops or ointment. Most of the subjects knew the importance of hand hygiene before instillation of eye drops. All subjects knew the importance of regular follow up after surgery.   Conclusion: There is a need for re-inforcement to the patients through education to improve the knowledge on post-operative self-care following cataract surgery. Nurses need to be supportive and educative in caring for these patients.   Key words: Knowledge, cataract, self-car

Low Speed Estimation of Sensorless DTC Induction Motor Drive Using MRAS with Neuro Fuzzy Adaptive Controller

This paper presents a closed loop Model Reference Adaptive system (MRAS) observer with artificial intelligent Nuero fuzzy controller (NFC) as the adaptation technique to mitigate the low speed estimation issues and to improvise the performance of the Sensorless Direct Torque Controlled (DTC) Induction Motor Drives (IMD). Rotor flux MRAS and reactive power MRAS with NFC is explored and detailed analysis is carried out for low speed estimation. Comparative analysis between rotor flux MRAS and reactive power MRAS with PI as well as NFC as adaptive controller is performed and results are presented in this paper. The comparative analysis among these four speed estimation methods shows that reactive power MRAS with NFC as adaptation mechanism shows reduced speed estimation error and actual speed error at steady state operating conditions when the drive is subjected to low speed operation. Simulation carried out using MATLAB-Simulink software to validate the performance of the drive especially at low speeds with rated and variable load conditions