Factors influencing Janani Suraksha Yojana utilization in a Northern city of India

Background: Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) was launched by Government of India with an objective of increasing institutional delivery. After years of operationalization in the Union territory of Chandigarh, no studies have documented the extent of its utilization and in-turn, effectiveness of its implementation. The aim and objectives of the study was to ascertain the extent of utilization of JSY scheme and to explore the factors influencing its uptake.Methods: It was a community based cross-sectional mixed method concurrent study conducted from August 2012 to March 2014 in Chandigarh city. A total of 100 women residing in the catchment areas of primary and secondary level health care facilities of Chandigarh who gave birth in proceeding two years (2011 and 2012) were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and in-depth interview checklist by trained field investigators. Data analysis was done using SPSS software for windows (version 17).Results: A total of 100 mothers were approached out of which 94 delivered in institution and 34 received JSY benefit. Logistic regression model suggested that more than 3 ANC visits by women was significantly associated with the uptake of JSY benefit (OR= 17.4). The factors influencing decreased uptake of scheme were sub-optimal incentive, delayed payment, problem in arranging for a residence proof and lot of administrative paper work.Conclusions: Though the JSY scheme led to high rate of institutional delivery but the monetary incentive was not availed by most of the beneficiaries. There is a need to remove the bottlenecks and thus ensure smooth delivery of cash benefits.

Development, standardization of polyherbal formulation of analgesic ointment of plant Carum copticum, Mentha piperita, Cedrus deodara

Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest systems of medicine. It originated in India and has evolved there over thousands of years. The term “Ayurveda” combines then Sanskrit words ayur (life) andVeda (science or knowledge). Ayurveda means “the science of life. Medicinal plants and herbal drugs have played a key role in world health. According to world health organization (WHO), about 80% of the world population currently utilizes the herbal drugs. People are using herbal medicines from centuries for safety, efficacy, cultural acceptability, non-toxic, lesser side effects and easily available at affordable prices. In recent times, there has been a move in universal trend from synthetic to herbal medicine due to side effects of synthetic products. Herbal products may contain a single herb or combinations of several different herbs believed to have complementary and /synergistic effects. Some herbal products, including many traditional medicine formulations, also include animal products and minerals. Herbal products are sold as either raw plants or extracts of portions of the plant or in the form formulation i.e. tablet, capsule, syrup, cream and ointment etc. The different parts of plants with analgesic were taken up for the present study and investigated for the phytochemical screening and used for the formulation of analgesic ointment. Present study deals with formulation, Standardization, evaluation of ointment made from alcoholic extract and essential oil of different plants

Social Media and its Effects on Mental Health

There is no doubt that varioussocial media platforms have transformed the new generation. The social media has resulted in the transformation of not only how this generation communicates, but has also transformed business, education and above all, the entertainment. Not only that the social media has made a lot of positive impacts on the human life, it has a lot of negative impacts on all age group as well, especially the youth. Addiction of social media is in trend and is a major contributing factor to rapid increase in several mental health issues. Some of the examples of the issues arising from the excessive use of social media that are on rise include: disturbed circadian rhythm, sleep disorders, reproductive health, phantom vibration, and ringing syndrome. Therefore, thisstudy surveyed the extent to which the mental health is being hampered by excessive use ofsocial media. This study was conducted in two stages surveying 263 participants from India, Russia, Nepal, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Georgia. A questionnaire was used as a research instrument, which was sent to the random respondents to study their indulgence in social media. Findings from these responses showed that the mental health issues are associated to the social media usage. Therefore, stakeholders must take remedial action to prevent rampancy of social media usage. From the study conducted, the effects of the social media are not only taking toll on the social life, life style, and physical heath of the users but, also over their mental health. There are urgent needs to take immediate remedial measures to counter this growing menace in the society

Electron momentum density and band structure calculations of Dy2O3

The electronic properties of dysprosium sesquioxide have been investigated (Dy2O3) by employing the linear combination of atomic orbitals method within the framework of density functional theory. The energy bands, density of states, isotropic and anisotropic Compton profiles and Mulliken’s populations of Dy2O3 have been computed. Theoretical anisotropies in Compton profile along [100], [110] and [111] directions have been explained in terms of energy bands. Results of the present calculations have been compared with previous experimental measurements and calculations

Self-Guidance and Self-Focusing of Rippled Electromagnetic Radiation Pulse in High Density Magnetoactive Plasma

Inside the plasma, when an intense rippled electromagnetic radiation pulse experiences self-focusing, one need to taking account of radial expansion in view of charge displacement due to ponderomotive force on electron and variation in the mass of oscillating electron under the influence of relativistic effect due to electromagnetic field. The extraordinary-mode (E-mode) propagation in a magnetoactive plasma, with stationary magnetic field, which is analogous to the wavering magnetic field of the electromagnetic radiation pulse, is the key feature for the self-guided propagation of rippling electromagnetic radiation pulse in magnetoactive plasma. If the condition for ultra-fast volume ionization is achieved, the radiation pulse itself can generate such a stationary magnetic field. It is demonstrated that external magnetic field affects the channels, causing them to bend. These effects cast new light on the phenomena of self-focusing of rippled electromagnetic radiation pulse. They raise the possibility of combining energy from several channels into one. It is found that the magnetic field strongly influences the plasma dynamic behavior and overall propagation of rippled electromagnetic radiation pulse. Keywords: Self-focusing, Self-guidance, Magnetized-plasma, Beam-propagation, Nonlinearit