Incentives for Academic Achievement: An Experimental Study

In recent years, educators and economists have experimented with a number of innovations to improve academic outcomes of students in developing countries. Providing cash rewards to students based on academic achievement may be a cost effective approach to achieve the goal. However, psychologists contend that external rewards undermines students' internal motivation to learn. To test these hypotheses, I am conducting a field experiment among eighth graders in public schools in the suburbs of Kathmandu, Nepal. Students receive cash reward at the end of each of three semesters based on their grades. Each exam is worth 100 points, and each point is worth 5 rupees (approximately 7 US cents). Therefore, each student can earn up to 500 rupees per semester. From a pool of 33 schools, the incentive scheme is offered to students in 11 randomly selected schools while the remaining 22 schools serve as the comparison group. At the end of the year, students take a district level examination. Scores of incentive recipients will be compared to that of non-recipients to gauge the impact of cash rewards on outcomes. Preliminary analysis shows that recipients have higher score than non-recipients in some subjects, the scores are similar in other subjects, and lower in yet other subjects. However, final conclusion can only be made after analyzing the scores from district level exam. Survey responses of students shows that that external rewards has had no noticeable impact on students' intrinsic motivation to learn.Cash Incentives, Intrinsic Motivation, Multitasking., Institutional and Behavioral Economics, International Development, Labor and Human Capital, D03, I20,

Does technology leads to better financial performance?

It has been a matter of debate whether Technology provides better financial results and improves productivity. The present paper attempts to study the inter-group comparison of financial performance of Indian banks by classifying the banks on the basis of usage of Technology. Further, for the purpose of temporal comparison, the period for the study has been divided into two parts, i. e. low technology induction period and high technology induction period. Findings of the paper show that the fully it oriented banks are financially better off than the partially it oriented banks. Moreover, the performance of almost all the banks under study has tremendously improved in the high technology induction period. However, for the Indian banking industry, the correlation between Technology induction and financial productivity is negative though statistically insignificant and low

Rising Toll of Frauds in Banking: A Threat for the Indian Economy

Banking is a process which predicts the relationship between sources of funds and their application. The basic process of banking helps the society to bridge the gap between availability and usage of these available funds in a correct manner. Over the years the banks have developed in a very big way, and with the growth of banking business, banking frauds have taken birth. The history of banking frauds is almost as old as the banking startup. Today, bank frauds have taken all possible forms and are prevalent in every facet of banking. There is a spirited need for banks to always stay alive to threat of frauds, build strong systems that can shield, pre-empt frauds, continuously monitor and review the efficiency of such preventive systems. To succeed in controlling frauds, banks need to be proactive and pre-emptive. This study establishes a theoretical framework with regards to banking frauds in the Indian context as well as shows the picture of frauds in banking sector outside India. By reviewing various studies in the area of banking frauds the paper built a research model which further helps to find out various types of frauds and reasons for the same, and will definitely give new scope to further studies. The present study sheds light on the area by reviewing various studies in the field of banking frauds. The study helps to find out the growth and trends of frauds in the banking sector and specially focuses on Indian Banking sector, as at present there are very few studies which give an in-depth insight of frauds in banking sector. Further the study also reviews the role of employee and customer with regard to banking fraud studied which is primarily needed in the context of Indian Banking system. The present study is conducted by collecting secondary data from the published and unpublished Sources, Government Publications, journals, magazines, books and periodicals et

Inflationary Trends in India: A Pre and Post Reform Study

The present paper attempts to explore the nature, trends and patterns of inflation in India during 1980-2016. The selected time period has been trifurcated purposively into three-time spans namely, pre-reform period (1980-90), after reform period (1991-2000) and subsequent period (2001-16). The endeavour of the paper is to examine the dynamics of inflation over the three-time spans from 1980-2016 in the Indian economy. It has been found that the inflation, based on WPI and CPI, is continuously rising since 1980. Up to 1995, the trend in CPI and WPI were same and there was no significant difference between them. However, after 1995, CPI has recorded larger growth as compared to WPI. Such trend has also continued in the subsequent period. The study reveals that this trend may be attributed to change in the composition of WPI and CPI since weights of primary articles have declined in WPI whereas such weights have registered a considerable increase in the categories of manufacturing, fuel and power. The shift in weights overtime provides us with an indicator of the changing production and use pattern of the commodities in the Indian set up. Further, the weights of food items have reduced overtime in case of CPI and such weights have been increased in respect of clothing, housing and fuel. The changes witnessed in weights of CPI are indicators of a growing economy. This study further contributes in the available literature by comparing the patterns of Inflation in Pre and Post-reform Period

Comparison of efficacy of azilsartan with olmesartan in patients of hypertension: randomized controlled trial

Background: Azilsartan and olmesartan are members of ARBs, used in the management of hypertension. Objective was to evaluate efficacy of azilsartan with olmesartan in patients of hypertension. Methods: A randomized, prospective, open label, comparative study was carried out in Pharmacology and Medicine department at Dr. RPGMC Kangra at Tanda, HP. The study stretched over one year and blood pressure was monitored at first, third and sixth month. Out of 69 patients, 35 patients in group A were prescribed tablet azilsartan 40 mg/day and 34 patients in group B patients were prescribed tablet olmesartan 20 mg/day. Tablet chlorthalidone 12.5 mg/day was add on in both the groups. Data was presented as mean+SD. Student’s t test was used and p value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: In group A, systolic blood pressure (SBP) values improved from baseline of 153±10 mmHg to 111±18 mmHg (p<0.001) at 3 months and 109±6.1 mmHg (p<0.001) at 6 months and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) values from baseline of 87±7 mmHg to 67.1±4.6 mmHg (p<0.001) at 3 months and 67.6±2.5 mmHg (p < 0.001) at 6 months. In group B, SBP values improved from baseline of 154±8.5 mmHg to 127±3.6 mmHg (p<0.001) at 3 months and 123±4 mmHg (p<0.001) at 6 months and DBP values from baseline of 85±6.5mm Hg to 75.7±3.3 mmHg (p<0.001) at 3 months and 73±3.3 mmHg (p<0.001) at 6 months. On intergroup comparison improvement in hypertension was better in azilsartan group (p<0.001). Conclusions: The study concluded that azilsartan is significantly better than olmesartan in controlling the hypertension

Predictive Encoding of Digitized TV Pictures

In this report, we consider the problem of efficient intra-frame encoding of digitized TV pictures using Differential Pulse Code Modulation (DPCM) type encoders. Our goal is to reduce the average number of bits used to encode a pixel while subjective quality of the picture still remains acceptable. To this end, we propose some new predictors and compare them with the existing ones using the error criteria "essential maximum" and "variance" of the prediction errors. The two criteria have also been compared with respect to the subjective quality of the final encoded pictures. We propose to design the quantizers using "mean n-th power" distortion criterion. Effects of "n" on bit rate and subjective quality of the encoded picture have been studied as it varies from 1 to 6. In this way, we achieve reductions up to 6 to 1 in the bit rate with little degradation in the picture quality. We also consider the use of second and third order entropies of the encoded pictures to reduce the bit rate. Next, we adapt the encoding procedure to local structural variations in the picture by first segmenting it in three areas of varying detail and then using the concepts developed for non-adaptive encoding to encode the three areas differently. The resulting encoder yields better picture quality than before and can be used to encode a broad class of pictures.</p

Evaluation of fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of soft tissue tumors and its correlation with histopathological findings

Background: Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) is a useful, safe and cost effective tool that is used in the diagnosis of lesions in various organs. Even though the literature on FNAC of soft tissue masses is relatively scarce, a large amount of interest has developed in this area in the last few years due to the low cost of the procedure, low incidence of complications, feasibility and high therapeutic efficiency. So the present study was undertaken to study the nature of various soft tissue tumors by FNAC and to compare the cytological diagnosis with the results obtained by biopsy.  Methods: All cases 713 (Prospective-217 and Retrospective 496) included in present series were taken up for study. Aspiration of soft tissue lesions were performed following the technique of Zajicek et al. Smear was prepared, stained and examined. Histopathological details were available in 140 cases. Data was compiled in MS excel and checked for its completeness, correctness and then it was analyzed.Results: Total number of 11,560 FNAC was done in six and half year’s period from 1st April 2003 to 30th September 2009. Out of the total 713 cases of soft tissue tumors, 71.25% were reported as benign and 28.75% as malignant. Soft tissue tumors were more common in males in comparison to females, with M: F-1.63:1. Accuracy of FNAC for benign and malignant soft tissue tumours was 88.1% and 92.9% respectively.  Conclusion: The overall diagnostic accuracy of FNAC in the present study was found 90%. FNAC is a safe and reliable method of recognizing benign and malignant soft tissue tumors and in most instances histological sub typing is possible. Cytological diagnosis must be based on strict cytological criteria and well controlled ancillary techniques.

Clinical profile, risk factors and aetiology of young stroke: a tertiary care hospital based study from the Sub-Himalayan region in North India

Background: Rapid urbanisation of rural areas is predicted to increase the incidence of risk factors for vascular events like stroke. There is scarcity of literature addressing issue of stroke from Sub-Himalayan region in North India.Methods:The study was conducted in the department of medicine, R. P. govt. medical college, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. Consecutive patients between the age of 15-45 years presenting with signs and symptoms of stroke in a duration of one year were included in the study. CT scan-head and lipid profile was done in all patients. Other relevant investigations to rule out aetiology were undertaken.Results: Thirty two patients with the mean age of 41.1 ± 5.41 years were recruited. The incidence of stroke in young forming 8.55% of the total stroke patients (374). There were larger proportion of male patients with a ratio of 3:1.16   patients (50%) presented between 6 am and 12 pm in the   morning hours of day. Maximum patients presented in winter months from November to January. Average delay of presentation to hospital was 30.8 hours. 19 patients (59.3%) presented with infarct. Most common symptom reported was weakness in 18 (56.2%). Predominant traditional risk factors observed was hypertension in 18 (53.1%). Hyperhomocysteinemia was seen in 4 patients (12.5%). Primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome was seen in 2 (6.25%).Conclusion:This study demonstrated predominant presence of conventional risk factors in young strokes. There was substantial time delay of presentation. Majority of patients presented in winter months. Prevention of vascular risk factors as well as issue of factors leading to delay in presentation needs to be addressed.

Snakebite presenting as acute coronary syndrome: An interesting diagnosis and management

Snakebite is a common presentation in India, especially in the Sub-Himalayan region. The most common presentation of snakebiteis neurotoxic and hematologic complications. Acute coronary syndrome after a snakebite is rare. This case report explicitly explainsa patient presenting as acute coronary syndrome after a snakebite with dynamic electrocardiogram changes. Later on, the anti-snakevenom therapy was given to the patient and her condition improved. It should be kept in mind that, since the pathology of snakebiteinducedmyocardial infarction is different, its management will also be different

Quantum-enhanced super-sensitivity of Mach-Zehnder interferometer using squeezed Kerr state

We study the phase super-sensitivity of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) with the squeezed Kerr and coherent states as the inputs. We discuss the lower bound in phase sensitivity by considering the quantum Fisher information (QFI) and corresponding quantum Cramer-Rao bound (QCRB). With the help of single intensity detection (SID), intensity difference detection (IDD) and homodyne detection (HD) schemes, we find that our scheme gives better sensitivity in both the lossless as well as in lossy conditions as compared to the combination of well-known results of inputs as coherent plus vacuum, coherent plus squeezed vacuum and double coherent state as the inputs. Because of the possibility of generation of squeezed Kerr state (SKS) with the present available quantum optical techniques, we expect that SKS may be an alternative nonclassical resource for the improvement in the phase super-sensitivity of the MZI under realistic scenario.Comment: Comments are welcome