Entrepreneurship based empowerment among fisherwomen self help groups of Kerala

The present study was conducted to analyse the extent of empowerment achieved by fisherwomen through participation in the entrepreneurial activities of self help groups (SHGs) functioning in the fisheries sector. Data were collected from 180 SHG members in the Kollam, Ernakulam and Kasargod districts of Kerala. Aquaculture (55.5%) and value addition of fish (45.5%) were the entrepreneurial activities adopted by fisherwomen SHGs. Empowerment level of each SHG member was quantified by modifying the existing empowerment dimensions into an Empowerment Index (EI), consisting of 8 sub-dimensions. Extent of empowerment was found out by taking the difference of empowerment index before and after joining the SHG. Among the eight empowerment dimensions, higher difference was observed in confidence building (0.43) followed by economic empowerment (0.42) and decision making pattern (0.41). The study revealed that the level of involvement in entrepreneurial activity has increased the empowerment in terms of confidence building, self-esteem, decision making pattern, psychological and economic empowerment. However, the existing fisheries extension interventions through extension contact and training were found to be associated with only self esteem and psychological empowerment. Therefore, new and innovative extension interventions are suggested in the paper to influence other sub-dimensions like economic empowerment, confidence building and decision making pattern

Generalized Variability Orderings among Nonnegative Fuzzy Random Variables

The variability ordering for more and less variables of fuzzy random variables in terms of its distribution function is defined. A property of new better than used in expectation (NBUE) and new worse than used in expectation (NWUE) is derived as an application to the variability ordering of fuzzy random variables. The concept of generalized variability orderings of nonnegative fuzzy random variables representing lifetime of components is introduced. The <P domination is a generalized variability ordering. We proposed an integral inequality to the case of fuzzy random variables using <P ordering. The results included equivalent conditions which justify the generalized variability orderings

Entrepreneurship based empowerment among fisherwomen self help groups of Kerala

The present study was conducted to analyse the extent of empowerment achieved by fisherwomen through participation in the entrepreneurial activities of self help groups (SHGs) functioning in the fisheries sector. Data were collected from 180 SHG members in the Kollam, Ernakulam and Kasargod districts of Kerala. Aquaculture (55.5%) and value addition of fish (45.5%) were the entrepreneurial activities adopted by fisherwomen SHGs. Empowerment level of each SHG member was quantified by modifying the existing empowerment dimensions into an Empowerment Index (EI), consisting of 8 sub-dimensions. Extent of empowerment was found out by taking the difference of empowerment index before and after joining the SHG. Among the eight empowerment dimensions, higher difference was observed in confidence building (0.43) followed by economic empowerment (0.42) and decision making pattern (0.41). The study revealed that the level of involvement in entrepreneurial activity has increased the empowerment in terms of confidence building, self-esteem, decision making pattern, psychological and economic empowerment. However, the existing fisheries extension interventions through extension contact and training were found to be associated with only self esteem and psychological empowerment. Therefore, new and innovative extension interventions are suggested in the paper to influence other sub-dimensions like economic empowerment, confidence building and decision making pattern

Soil organic carbon stock in natural and restored mangrove forests in Pichavaram south-east coast of India

801-808Mangrove ecosystem is one of the important coastal ecosystems providing ecological security of the coastal area and livelihood security to the coastal fishermen.  Besides it plays an important role in carbon sequestration as large amount of carbon is stored in the below ground biomass. The role of mangrove restoration in carbon stocking has not been studied comprehensively either globally or nationally. The aim of the present study is to quantify the soil organic carbon stock and carbon sequestration rate of the different age groups of restored and natural stands of Pichavaram mangroves forest. The soil organic carbon stock of the upper soil layer (0–90 cm) of six different sites from natural mangrove stands, 21years, 17 years, 16 years, 15 years and 12 years old stands were 146.1(Mg C ha-1), 99.29 (Mg C ha-1), 93.18 (Mg C ha-1), 57.41 (Mg C ha-1), 95.54 (Mg C ha-1) and 84.84 (Mg C ha-1), respectively. Carbon sequestration rate of Pichavaram mangrove forests ranged from 2.33 to 4.44 g C m-2 year-1. The result of the study reveals that soil organic carbon stock and burial rate were high in natural mangrove area than the restored areas. In this regard, restoration and rehabilitation of mangroves is required for preserving the ecologically important mangroves ecosystem to mitigate the impacts of climate change

Correlation of Bony Invasion With Nodal Metastasis, Pattern of Invasion and Survival in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Analysis of 122 Primary Cases From Oral Cancer Centre of South India

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is considered to be the most common epithelial malignant neoplasm of the oral cavity. Despite advancements in diagnosis and therapeutics the clinical outcome of the disease has not improved much which may be attributed to tumor biology and heterogeneity. Bone invasion by cancer cells is currently staged as a moderately advanced disease. However, many low-grade carcinomas such as verrucous carcinoma and carcinoma cuniculatum show body invasion but less nodal metastases and better overall survival. The present study was orchestrated to analyze if bone invasion in OSCC has any impact on regional nodal metastases and survival

A Cross-Sectional Study on Smartphone Use among Children during COVID-19 Lockdown in Tamilnadu, India

Smartphones have made internet available at our fingertips. More children around the world are born mobile ready especially kids born after 2015 (Gen Alpha). The COVID induced lockdown had robbed children of other means of entertainment and combined with the easy access to smartphones due to the online classes, the overuse of smartphones is a concept of great concern to parents. An online survey was conducted in India among parents about the usage of smartphone in their children and the parents also filled out a self-constructed questionnaire to find the levels of smartphone addiction in their children. 1330 people participated in the study and their responses were used to analyze the various factors contributing to smartphone overuse. The amount of time spent in smartphone has increased exponentially during COVID 19 induced lockdown, with 14.7% of children spending 5 - 6 hours per day and a small percentage of children (3.3%) spending more than 9 hours per day. Children who owned a smartphone and adolescent children have higher scores in the smartphone addiction scale