Effect of Various Sowing Dates on the Management of Wilt of Guar (\u3cem\u3eCyamopsis tetragonaloba\u3c/em\u3e L.)

Cluster bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.], commonly known as guar, is a member of Leguminosae (Fabaceae) family. It is a short duration, drought resistant, low investment and high return cash crop. In Punjab, it is one of the important legume crop grown on about 9514 ha with production of 0.24 million ton (Anonymous, 2013). It can be grown in mixture with bajra and jowar but pure crop of guar supplies highest tonnage of palatable nutritious green fodder for longer duration without much deterioration in quality with the age of the crop. It is rich in nutrients with crude protein content and total digestible nutrients on dry matter basis of 18.1 and 60.0 per cent respectively. Besides fodder, it can also be grown for grain, green manure, cover crop and for vegetable purposes. Although, cluster bean being a hardy crop is very sensitive to the biotic and abiotic stresses. The crop has succumbed to number of diseases caused by fungi, bacteria and viruses. Of the all diseases, wilt of guar (Fusarium caeruleum) is a very serious disease. It causes heavy losses in summer sown crop and damage is visible on young plants. Attacks of the Fusarium wilt pathogen can destroy the crop completely. Modification of the soil environment by altering sowing dates and introduction of resistant genotypes can be effective control for Fusarium solani EGY 1causing wilt in guar

Clinical Study of Navsiddha Taila and Swedana in the management of Katishoola

In evolutionary process man remain as the only animal, which stands in upright posture. Indeed the presence of curvatures in the vertebral column, man never attains absolute rest in any posture, owing them to suffer with problems related to vertebral column. As the advancement of busy professional and social life, it encourages sedentary behaviour with long working hours at desk jobs, lack of natural movement, improper sitting posture in offices, factories, continuous and overexertion, jerking movements during travelling and sports causing overtaxing of muscles. All of these stressors take their toll on the body, and yield undue pressure over the vertebral column especially over the Lumbar region. This compression over the nerves is because of decreased intervertebral disc space. Somewhere within the core of this lifestyle prevails the unique cause of Katishoola. In Katishoola, Vitiated ‘Vata’ is considered to be the principle Dosha involved because the cardinal symptom of vitiation of this Dosha is pain which is known as Shoola. It is known by the name Low back ache or Lumbago. In the present study use of Navsiddha Taila (Kalpita Yoga) Snehana and Swedana by infrared lamp in bringing symptomatic relief in patients of Katishoola has been chosen

Students’ perceptions of the Moodle Quiz E-assessment tool in an isiZulu language course

MOODLE, a free open source software, is the official Learning Management System (LMS) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). The institution’s mandate to all academics to integrate Moodle into their respective disciplines for teaching and learning, created a space for the researchers to experiment with the Quiz tool as an alternate assessment method, as part of routine formative and summative assessments. Whilst there are many research studies that endorse e-assessments at tertiary institutions, this is an uncharted area of research within the field of teaching and learning of isiZulu in South Africa. As a result, there is a lack of empirical evidence to assist with curriculum integration and implementation thereof. The purpose of this study was to explore students’ perceptions and experiences on such integration and implementation of e-assessments. A questionnaire was administered to sixty first year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) students enrolled for isiZulu. Permission to conduct the research was sought from all relevant gatekeepers. This study is set against the behaviourist, cognitive and constructivist learning frameworks. Findings from this study affirmed the numerous benefits of including e-assessments as part of the assessment method. However, further improvements to the design of the isiZulu quiz e-test were suggested.Keywords: e-assessment; second language isiZulu; student perceptions;Moodle; Learning Management Systems

SHED: Spam Ham Email Dataset

Automatic filtering of spam emails becomes essential feature for a good email service provider. To gain direct or indirect benefits organizations/individuals are sending a lot of spam emails. Such kind emails activities are not only distracting the user but also consume lot of resources including processing power, memory and network bandwidth. The security issues are also associated with these unwanted emails as these emails may contain malicious content and/or links. Content based spam filtering is one of the effective approaches used for filtering. However, its efficiency depends upon the training set. The most of the existing datasets were collected and prepared a long back and the spammers have been changing the content to evade the filters trained based on these datasets. In this paper, we introduce Spam Ham email dataset (SHED): a dataset consisting spam and ham email. We evaluated the performance of filtering techniques trained by previous datasets and filtering techniques trained by SHED. It was observed that the filtering techniques trained by SHED outperformed the technique trained by other dataset. Furthermore, we also classified the spam email into various categories

Genome-wide analysis of rice ClpB/HSP100, ClpC and ClpD genes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>ClpB-cyt/HSP100 protein acts as chaperone, mediating disaggregation of denatured proteins. Previous studies have shown that ClpB-cyt/HSP100 gene belongs to the group class I Clp ATPase proteins and ClpB-cyt/HSP100 transcript is regulated by heat stress and developmental cues.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Nine ORFs were noted to constitute rice class I Clp ATPases in the following manner: 3 ClpB proteins (ClpB-cyt, Os05g44340; ClpB-m, Os02g08490; ClpB-c, Os03g31300), 4 ClpC proteins (ClpC1, Os04g32560; ClpC2, Os12g12580; ClpC3, Os11g16590; ClpC4, Os11g16770) and 2 ClpD proteins (ClpD1, Os02g32520; ClpD2, Os04g33210). Using the respective signal sequences cloned upstream to GFP/CFP reporter proteins and transient expression studies with onion epidermal cells, evidence is provided that rice ClpB-m and Clp-c proteins are indeed localized to their respective cell locations mitochondria and chloroplasts, respectively. Associated with their diverse cell locations, domain structures of OsClpB-c, OsClpB-m and OsClpB-cyt proteins are noted to possess a high-level conservation. <it>OsClpB-cyt </it>transcript is shown to be enriched at milk and dough stages of seed development. While expression of <it>OsClpB-m </it>was significantly less as compared to its cytoplasmic and chloroplastic counterparts in different tissues, this transcript showed highest heat-induced expression amongst the 3 ClpB proteins. OsClpC1 and OsClpC2 are predicted to be chloroplast-localized as is the case with all known plant ClpC proteins. However, the fact that OsClpC3 protein appears mitochondrial/chloroplastic with equal probability and OsClpC4 a plasma membrane protein reflects functional diversity of this class. Different class I Clp ATPase transcripts were noted to be cross-induced by a host of different abiotic stress conditions. Complementation assays of <it>Δhsp104 </it>mutant yeast cells showed that <it>OsClpB-cyt</it>, <it>OsClpB-m</it>, <it>OsClpC1 </it>and <it>OsClpD1 </it>have significantly positive effects. Remarkably, <it>OsClpD1 </it>gene imparted appreciably high level tolerance to the mutant yeast cells.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Rice class I Clp ATPase gene family is constituted of 9 members. Of these 9, only 3 belonging to ClpB group are heat stress regulated. Distribution of ClpB proteins to different cell organelles indicates that their functioning might be critical in different cell locations. From the complementation assays, OsClpD1 appears to be more effective than OsClpB-cyt protein in rescuing the thermosensitive defect of the yeast <it>ScΔhsp104 </it>mutant cells.</p

Review article on Mutraghata w.s.r. to BPH

BPH is a common condition in old age. The epidemiology reveals that BPH more likely occur after the age of 40 years, with prevalence rate of 8%-60% at age 90 years. Some data have suggested that there is decreased risk among the Asians compared to the western white populations. Genetics, diet and life style may play a role here. An enlarged prostate gland can cause uncomfortable urinary symptoms, like frequency, urgency, hesitancy, nocturia, decreased/intermittent force of urine stream, sensation of incomplete voiding of urine. In Ayurveda, Mutragranthi and Vatashtheela can be correlated with BPH on the basis of symptoms. The disease occurs due to vitiation of Apanavayu along with the vitiation of Kapha and Pitta Doshas. In modern science the management of BPH is either by conservative or surgical intervention. Surgery may cause serious complications like bleeding, urethral stricture, urinary incontinence or leakage, erectile dysfunction, and retrograde ejaculations. To avoid such complications and to understand the disease in better way an effort has been made in this study by analyzing the available references in relation to Mutraghata/BPH

A case study on successful Ayurvedic management of Katishoola

Katishoola (low backache) is one among the Vatavyadhi. It is a common musculoskeletal disorder affecting 80% of the population at some point in their lives. The common causes are sedentary life style, lack of exercise, driving in hunched position, poor standing and sitting posture, obesity etc. The allopathic system of medicine uses analgesics, NSAIDS and steroids which are not effective and has serious adverse effects. To avoid such condition, we would like to introduce combination of Short Wave Diathermy, Rasona Kalka and Navsiddha Taila for Ayurveda management of Katishoola

The development of a framework for evaluating e-assessment systems

Academics encounter problems with the selection, evaluation, testing and implementation of e-assessment software tools. The researcher experienced these problems while adopting e-assessment at the university where she is employed. Hence she undertook this study, which is situated in schools and departments in Computing-related disciplines, namely Computer Science, Information Systems and Information Technology at South African Higher Education Institutions. The literature suggests that further research is required in this domain. Furthermore, preliminary empirical studies indicated similar disabling factors at other South African tertiary institutions, which were barriers to long-term implementation of e-assessment. Despite this, academics who are adopters of e-assessment indicate satisfaction, particularly when conducting assessments with large classes. Questions of the multiple choice genre can be assessed automatically, leading to increased productivity and more frequent assessments. The purpose of this research is to develop an evaluation framework to assist academics in determining which e-assessment tool to adopt, enabling them to make more informed decisions. Such a framework would also support evaluation of existing e-assessment systems. The underlying research design is action research, which supported an iterative series of studies for developing, evaluating, applying, refining, and validating the SEAT (Selecting and Evaluating an e-Assessment Tool) Evaluation Framework and subsequently an interactive electronic version, e-SEAT. Phase 1 of the action research comprised Studies 1 to 3, which established the nature, context and extent of adoption of e-assessment. This set the foundation for development of SEAT in Phase 2. During Studies 4 to 6 in Phase 2, a rigorous sequence of evaluation and application facilitated the transition from the manual SEAT Framework to the electronic evaluation instrument, e-SEAT, and its further evolution. This research resulted in both a theoretical contribution (SEAT) and a practical contribution (e-SEAT). The findings of the action research contributed, along with the literature, to the categories and criteria in the framework, which in turn, contributed to the bodies of knowledge on MCQs and e-assessment. The final e-SEAT version, the ultimate product of this action research, is presented in Appendix J1. For easier reference, the Appendices are included on a CD, attached to the back cover of this Thesis..ComputingPhD. (Information Systems

The relationship between work-family conflict, psychological distress and physical symptoms of illness among office workers within the South African Police Service.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.The aim of this study is to investigate the experience of work-family conflict and well-being among office workers within the South African Police Services (SAPS). The balance between individuals’ work and family domains has been a point of increasing concern in recent time. This is due to a multitude of factors. Firstly, there has been an increase in gender equity within the workplace, i.e. there are now more women in the workplace (Statistics South Africa, 2017). This has resulted in work-family conflict being experienced on a larger scale than in past years, and research has indicated that women experienced a higher rate of work being interrupted by family matters than men (Graaf, 2007). Secondly, there has been an increase in workplace diversity in South Africa (which refers to aspects other than gender, such as race, disability, etc.) which result in certain cultural factors needing to be taken into account. The issue of work-family conflict can affect the well-being of employees negatively, both psychologically and physically. This is evidenced in the findings from studies conducted by Winefield, Boyd and Winefield, (2014) and Drummond, O’Driscoll, Brough, Kalliath, Siu,Timms and Lo, (2017), which indicate that work-family conflict results in stress, anxiety and depression, which manifests in different forms of physical illness such as insomnia, weight loss/gain, headaches, as well as more serious effects such as coronary heart disease, which can be fatal. This can also impact the functioning and productivity of employees, as employees who are ill stay away from work, with over 156 working days being lost per annum. In addition, presenteeism poses a challenge as employees who attend work, may not engage in tasks due to psychological distress and physical illness (The South African Depression and Anxiety Group, 2015). Work-family conflict and well-being can be conceptualised through the use of Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) Ecological Systems Theory, Role Theory, which was posited by Kahn, Goode, Wolfe and Rosenthal in the 1960’s, Boundary Theory (Ashforth, Kreiner & Fugate, 2000) as well as Well-Being Theory (Seligman, 2011). This is due to each of the first three theories mentioned above positing that individuals can be understood through the different roles they play within the various systems in their lives (i.e. work, family, community, etc.), as well as the consequent impact of their conflicting duties and responsibilities on their well-being, conceptualised by Seligman’s (2011) Well-Being Theory. The study fell within the quantitative research paradigm and followed a cross-sectional design, which was used on a sample of office workers within the SAPS (N=202). A biographical questionnaire, the Work-Family Conflict Scale (Carlson, Kacmar & Williams, 2000), the General Well-Being Schedule (Dupuy, 1978) and the Physical Symptoms Inventory (Spector & Jex, 1998) were administered. For the purpose of this study, statistical analysis was conducted via the use of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) (IBM Corp., 2017). Additionally, in order to determine the construct validity and Cronbach’s alpha of the instruments used, statistical analysis was conducted, which revealed Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranging from a=0.85 to a=0.87. The results of the study revealed positive relationships between work-family conflict and physical symptoms of illness, age and physical symptoms of illness, number of children one has and work-family conflict as well as children under the age of six years old and work-family conflict. Furthermore, the results of the research yielded negative relationships between the number of children one has and general well-being as well work-family conflict and general well-being. Additionally, the results of the research conducted portrayed that work-family conflict is a predictor of general well-being as well as physical symptoms of illness. The present study paves the way for further research into the phenomenon. These studies should focus on further examining the relationship between the variables mentioned above. This is due to the fact that an increased focus on the above factors is a step toward alleviating work-family conflict and high levels of psychological distress and physical illness

Across continents: A comparison of African and Australian academics' online preparedness

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted higher education across the globe, in particular the shift from face-to-face teaching and assessment, as well as interaction with students. In 2020, an online survey was distributed to African and Australian higher education academics to gather insights into academics’ transformation of educational practices during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular it focused on the effects on the quality of teaching, learning and assessment. The survey questions investigated the comparison of the use of teaching and assessment technologies prior to, and during the COVID-19 pandemic; academics’ experiences with the sudden shift to work from home (WFH) arrangements and quality assurance measures for digital technologies. The sample included 71 academics across 12 Australian universities/tertiary institutions and 278 academics across 21 African higher education institutions. This study identified that while many Australian academics had prior experience and training in online/blended delivery, African academics, despite not having formal training in digital pedagogy, rated themselves as more than average in their ability to adopt technology for the online environment, just as the Australian cohort had. The most effective online tools adopted during the crisis in the African region were Zoom and WhatsApp while in the Australian region the learning management system (LMS) was the most popular. The major factors that affected African and Australian students’ ability to engage online included lack of access to connectivity and devices, technological competency and emotional and social factors. The results suggest that the predominant challenges faced by students as reported by academics across both continents in the “forced” remote work environment other than general anxiety about COVID-19 were social isolation (Aguilera-Hermida, 2020), connectivity for their students and the lack of a balanced work life (Kotteeswari &amp; Sharief, 2014; Oliveira et al., 2021). This study has implications on institutions’ readiness in terms of capacity building for academic staff, infrastructure and support during digital delivery of courses