High fluoride incidence in groundwater and its potential health effects in parts of Sarguja Area Chhattisgarh, India

Assay of fluoride concentration in ground water samples around Surajpur district in Sarguja revealed that fluoride content in beyond the permissible limit in a some residential areas. The extent of Fluoride present in different samples was obtained by spectrophotometer. the extent of fluoride was found in village Baraul found to be from minimum 2.4 to 3.0 mg/l. village Ramtirath found to be from minimum 2.1 to  3.0 mg/l. but in village Fatehpur and Barwahi   found to be from minimum 2.1 to  3.50 mg/l. it is further added that extent of fluoride content in water depends on the climatic conditions and increase in summer

Induced Magnetic Field on Williamson Fluid Past a Stretching Surface with Nonlinear Thermal Radiation and Non-Uniform Heat Source or Sink

In this study, we investigated the effects of induced magnetic field and nonlinear thermal radiation on Williamson nano fluid past a stretching surface in the presence of non-uniform heat source/sink. The transformed governing equations are solved numerically using Runge-Kutta based shooting technique. We acquire better accuracy of the present results by comparing with the published literature. The influence of dimensionless parameters on velocity, temperature and concentration profiles along with the friction factor coefficient, the heat transfer rate and the mass transfer rate are discussed with the help of graphs and tables. It is found that the heat transfer rate in Williamson fluid is high while compared with the Base fluid. Keywords: Induced magnetic field, stretching sheet, nonlinear thermal radiation, non-uniform heat source/sink, Williamson fluid

Selective cauterization of supporting ligaments at Non Descent Vaginal Hysterectomy (NDVH)

Background: The objective of the study was to study the use of electrocautery selectively for cardinal uterosacral ligament complex during NDVH.Methods: We performed a series of NDVH where electrocautery was used selectively for the uterosacral cardinal ligament complex. Rest all stumps were clamped, divided and ligated.Results: We did a series of 21 cases using this technique and found this as a very effective method of doing NDVH. There were no major complications.Conclusion: Selective use of electrocautery for uterosacral and cardinal ligament complex makes NDVH easy

Establishment of age-specific reference intervals for AMH in Indian women and enhancing its use as a diagnostic marker in PCOS

Background: Anti Mullerian hormone (AMH) level is a reliable marker of ovarian reserve. It is known to be influenced by factors like age, ethnicity, and ovarian pathology. Establishment of age-specific reference intervals for AMH, characteristic of different nationalities, is therefore of utmost importance. Serum AMH is known to be elevated in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). It is desirable to determine a population-specific cut-off of AMH, for it to be used as a diagnostic marker for PCOS. Methods: Serum AMH, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Estradiol, Progesterone and Testosterone assays were analyzed in 1978 Indian women, in the age range of 12–50 years. Age-specific reference intervals for AMH were derived for the study population. The cohort of study subjects were then divided into two groups, based on AMH values and clinical history: Control group, and patients with PCOS. The cut-off value of AMH in the study population, corresponding to the diagnosis of PCOS, was also established.   Results: Upper 95th percentile limits of reference intervals for the 18-25 26–30, 31–35, and 36–40, 41-45 and >45 age groups were 9.69, 7.60, 6.50, 6.1, 4.80 and 4.5 ng/ml respectively. In the PCOS group the 5th percentile value was 7.80 ng/ml and the upper 95th percentile was 21.81 ng/ml. The median percentile in PCOS group was 10.40 ng/ml. ROC analysis was done to obtain optimal cutoff values for each age group with better discriminative power than the reference limits. The best cut-off point of AMH value for PCOS in our study population was 7.51ng/ml. The sensitivity and specificity were 99.4% and 95.5%, respectively. The calculated area under the Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.988 (95% CI: 0.984-0.991, P <0.001). AMH, LH, and LH/FSH ratio was significantly higher in the PCOS group than in the control group (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). LH/FSH ratio was more than 2 in the PCOS group compared to controls. Serum Testosterone was significantly higher in PCOS. Conclusions: The study aids to establish a biological reference interval for AMH, specific for different age groups in Indian women. 7.51ng/ml has been derived as a diagnostic cut-off of AMH for PCOS in our study population. The establishment of age-specific reference intervals, and syndrome-specific cut-offs in the Indian population will help overcome the influence of variables and broaden the use of AMH in women’s health

Farmers’ seed networks and agrobiodiversity conservation for sustainable food security: a case from the mid-hills of Nepal

This paper was funded by the International Development Research Centre as well as Global Affairs Canada.This paper evaluates the nature and functioning of seed networks for rice, maize and finger millet, and explores the effect of such networks on agrobiodiversity conservation and food security. Using snowball sampling, ninety-five farmers from the Dhikurpokhari Village Development Committee in Kaski district, a representative site for western mid-hills of Nepal, were interviewed. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and field observations. Social network analysis tools and maps, with the help of NetDraw software, were used to examine the status of the network and identify the key nodal and connector farmers. It was revealed that there is a loose network of seed exchange in the community, varying according to crop. While nodal farmers play a more pivotal role than other farmers in seed exchange, only marginal differences were found in the characteristics of nodal and non-nodal farmers, apart from their age and education. More than 90% of farmers had saved seeds of maize and finger millet on their own, mainly local varieties, while only 70% of farmers had saved rice seed. Farmers’ practices of saving seed at home, limited varietal options in locality, a declining interest in agriculture, rural-to-urban migration and thence scarcity of labour have all contributed to a reduction in the exchange of seed. This in turn has affected the on-farm conservation of agrobiodiversity and food security at the local level

How to design a complex behaviour change intervention: experiences from a nutrition-sensitive agriculture trial in rural India

Many public health interventions aim to promote healthful behaviours, with varying degrees of success. With a lack of existing empirical evidence on the optimal number or combination of behaviours to promote to achieve a given health outcome, a key challenge in intervention design lies in deciding what behaviours to prioritise, and how best to promote them. We describe how key behaviours were selected and promoted within a multisectoral nutrition-sensitive agriculture intervention that aimed to address maternal and child undernutrition in rural India. First, we formulated a Theory of Change, which outlined our hypothesised impact pathways. To do this, we used the following inputs: existing conceptual frameworks, published empirical evidence, a feasibility study, formative research and the intervention team’s local knowledge. Then, we selected specific behaviours to address within each impact pathway, based on our formative research, behaviour change models, local knowledge and community feedback. As the intervention progressed, we mapped each of the behaviours against our impact pathways and the transtheoretical model of behaviour change, to monitor the balance of behaviours across pathways and along stages of behaviour change. By collectively agreeing on definitions of complex concepts and hypothesised impact pathways, implementing partners were able to communicate clearly between each other and with intervention participants. Our intervention was iteratively informed by continuous review, by monitoring implementation against targets and by integrating community feedback. Impact and process evaluations will reveal whether these approaches are effective for improving maternal and child nutrition, and what the effects are on each hypothesised impact pathway

How to design a complex behaviour change intervention: experiences from a nutrition-sensitive agriculture trial in rural India.

Many public health interventions aim to promote healthful behaviours, with varying degrees of success. With a lack of existing empirical evidence on the optimal number or combination of behaviours to promote to achieve a given health outcome, a key challenge in intervention design lies in deciding what behaviours to prioritise, and how best to promote them. We describe how key behaviours were selected and promoted within a multisectoral nutrition-sensitive agriculture intervention that aimed to address maternal and child undernutrition in rural India. First, we formulated a Theory of Change, which outlined our hypothesised impact pathways. To do this, we used the following inputs: existing conceptual frameworks, published empirical evidence, a feasibility study, formative research and the intervention team's local knowledge. Then, we selected specific behaviours to address within each impact pathway, based on our formative research, behaviour change models, local knowledge and community feedback. As the intervention progressed, we mapped each of the behaviours against our impact pathways and the transtheoretical model of behaviour change, to monitor the balance of behaviours across pathways and along stages of behaviour change. By collectively agreeing on definitions of complex concepts and hypothesised impact pathways, implementing partners were able to communicate clearly between each other and with intervention participants. Our intervention was iteratively informed by continuous review, by monitoring implementation against targets and by integrating community feedback. Impact and process evaluations will reveal whether these approaches are effective for improving maternal and child nutrition, and what the effects are on each hypothesised impact pathway

A study of demographic profile of HIV positive patients attending ART centre SGMH Rewa, Madhya Pradesh

Background: Caused by Human Immuno-deficiency virus, leading the patient’s immune system vulnerable to various infections and neurological disorder, AIDS have transformed into a socioeconomic and developmental concern. With the increasing population of India, the HIV epidemic will soon be a major cause of concern. The objective of the present study was to observe the demographic profile of HIV positive patients attending ART Centre at the Department of Medicine at Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital & Shyam Shah Medical College, Rewa (M.P.) in year 2012-2014. Material & Methods: This was a data-based study. In this study total 1224 cases of all age group were taken, these patients were registered in ART center in between Jan. 2010 to Dec.2012. A pre-formed questionnaire (proforma) was made to enquire about socio-demographic-economic variables. The patient and their spouse were interviewed, examined and investigated according to pre-designed proforma with special reference to their occupation, spouse HIV status and high-risk behaviour. Results: In this study total number of ART attendees (patients) were 1224 and out of these total patients, 7.27% (n=89) were children (<15years) and 92.73% (n=1135) were adult (>15 years). Out of 89 children, 5.15% (n=63) were male and 2.12% (n=26) were female and out of 1135 adult patients, 53.26% (n=652) were male and 39.46% (n=483) were female. M/F ratio in children was 2.4/1 and M/F ratio in adult patients was 1.3/1. Conclusion: As the present study was done in rural area, where hygiene was poor and sanitation was bad and environment was dusty, that is why infectious complications were more common in the present study

Cattaneo-Christov on heat and mass transfer of unsteady Eyring Powell dusty nanofluid over sheet with heat and mass flux conditions

Heat and mass flux conditions on magnetohydrodynamic unsteady Eyring-Powell dusty nanofluid over a sheet is addressed. The combined effect of Brownian motion and thermophoresis in nanofluid modeling are retained. The Cattaneo-Christov heat flux model is imposed. A set of similarity variables are utilized to form ordinary differential system from the prevailing partial differential equations. The problem of ordinary differential system (ODS) is analyzed numerically through Runge-Kutta based shooting method. Graphical results of pertinent parameters on the velocity, temperature and nanoparticle concentration are studied. Skin friction coefficient, local Nusselt and Sherwood number are also addressed with help of graphs and also validated the present solutions with already existing solutions in the form of table. It is found that the thermal relaxation parameter improves the heat transfer rate and minimizes the mass transfer rate. The heat transfer rate is higher in prescribed heat flux (PHF) case when compared with prescribed wall temperature (PWT) case

Sources of Agricultural Growth and Its Determinants: A Regional Analysis of Uttar Pradesh

The paper examines the sources and patterns of growth in crop sector in Uttar Pradesh and identifies the drivers through panel data from 2004-05 to 2015-16. The results reveal that yield and diversification are found to be the sustainable sources of growth in crop sector in all regions except Bundelkhand. However, these sources have varied widely across the regions. The fixed effect regression model result show that irrigated area, electricity, road length, agricultural loan, agricultural market, fertilisers, tractor, literacy rate, planned expanses and normal rainfall are drivers of agricultural growth. Thus, infrastructural, institutional, technological and socio-economic factors ought to be improved through new policies