Effect of boron on growth, nutrition and fertility status of large cardamom in Sikkim Himalaya, India

Field experiment was conducted at Indian Cardamom Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Spices Board Kabi research farm North Sikkim to find out the effect of Boron nutrition on growth, nutrient content and soil fertility status of large cardamom. The experiment was laid out in RBD comprising seven treatments (T1 soil application of [email protected] kg ha-1 ,T2 soil application of [email protected] kg ha-1, T3 foliar application of [email protected]%, T4 foliar application of borax @0.5%, T5 foliar application of [email protected]%+ soil application of [email protected] kg ha-1, T6 foliar application of [email protected]%+ soil application of [email protected] kg ha-1 and T7 control). Results reveal that foliar application of [email protected]%+ soil application of [email protected] kg ha-1 recorded the maximum values of immature tillers per clump (2.98 and 3.95) and mature tillers per clump (2.99 and 3.11) during both September, 2013 and March, 2014 and vegetative buds per clump (2.90 ). With regards to nutrient content in leaf of large cardamom among the treatments, foliar application of [email protected]%+soil application of [email protected] kg ha-1 recorded highest nutrient acquisition However, its effect was statistically non significant on K, S, Ca, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe content and significant on N(2.59%), P (0.18%), Mg (0.39%) and B (15.45 ppm) content in leaf

Study on antibiotic use among geriatric patients based on anatomical therapeutic classification or defined daily dose methodology and world health organization-essential medicine list access, watch and reserve concept in tertiary care hospital of South India

Background: Geriatric patients are more vulnerable to infections and need special consideration on antibiotic use. Resistance to antibiotics among infectious bacteria has developed within a short span. There is a direct correlation between the consumption of antibiotics and the development of resistance. And surprisingly very few literatures were available on antibiotic consumption in geriatric population using defined daily dose (DDD) concept which paved the idea to conduct this study.Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out from November 2018 to April 2019. A total of 206 prescriptions of elderly patients were included in the study. The antibiotics were categorized by anatomical therapeutic classification (ATC) and DDD indicator/1000 inhabitants/day (DID) was used to figure out antibiotic consumption.Results: About 25.2% of patients were treated with antibiotics for respiratory tract infections. The patients received antibiotics empirically (53.8%) and without bacteriological investigation (58.73%). The overall consumption of antibiotics was 20.47 DID in which oral antibiotics was (8.5 DID) 42% and parenteral antibiotics (11.8 DID) 58%. Cephalosporins was observed to be the most consumed antibiotics (33.2%), specifically cefotaxime (14.6%) and ceftriaxone (12.6%). Moreover, 54.4% of antibiotics consumed from watch category of World Health Organisation (WHO) essential medicines list (EML) which was completely against WHO standard proportion.Conclusions: Higher consumption of cephalosporins, which falls into watch category was analysed in geriatric patients. These broad-spectrum antibiotics have high potential to develop antimicrobial resistance. A strict antibiotic policy is needed to be framed that enhance rational prescribing practices in geriatrics

Assessment of drug utilization among geriatric patients based on defined daily dose concept in a rural tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: The objectives of the study were to use the anatomical therapeutic chemical classification (ATC) /defined daily dose (DDD) concept to study the drug utilization pattern in geriatric patients in a rural tertiary care teaching hospital.Methods: An observational study was conducted at Rajah Muthiah Medical College Hospital (OPD and IPD) over a period of six months from November 2018 to April 2019. The data was collected from 204 patients using specially designed data collection form. The patients were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: A total of 204 patients were included in this study. The study population consisting of males 130 (63.7%) and females 74 (36.2%). Diseases related to the cardiovascular system 67 (32.84%) were the most common cause for the geriatric patients to attend the hospital, followed by surgical diseases 47 (23.03%), Oncological diseases 2 (0.98%) were the least frequency encountered. The average number of drugs prescribed per prescription was 8.79. Out of 1795 drugs prescribed, 60.86% of drugs were prescribed in generic form, and 39.14% were prescribed in brand name. The study analysed that 71.25% of drugs prescribed were from essential drug list (EDL) 2016-2018. Number of prescriptions with an injection was 74.04%. Paracetamol (N02B01) was the most frequently prescribed drug, followed by Amlodipine (C08CA01), Dexamethasone (H02AB02), Clopidogrel (B01AC04), Ferrous sulfate (B03AA07), Acetylsalicylic acid (B01AC06), Hydrocortisone (H02AB09), Tamsulosin (G04CA02), Atorvastatin (C10AA05), Furosemide (C03CA01).Conclusions: Drug utilization study can help in evaluating the quality of care given to the geriatric patients and promote rational use of medicines

Estimation of gillnet and hook selectivity for Carangoides fulvoguttatus (Forsskal, 1775) captured off Kanyakumari coast of India

Selectivity and fishing powers of multi-mesh gillnets with mesh sizes of 13.5, 14, 14.5 and 15 cm and hooks No. 5, 6, 7 and 8 were studied using the experimental catch data of the carangid Carangoides fulvoguttatus (Forsskal, 1775). The selectivity curves, parameters and residual plots for different models viz., normal scale, normal location, log-normal, gamma and bi-normal models were produced applying the SELECT (Share Each Length Class Total) methodology which has been incorporated in the software GILLNET (Generalised Including Log-Linear N Estimation Technique). The models were evaluated using the statistical tools viz., model deviance, dispersion parameter and residual plots to determine the best fit of the selectivity data. The uni-normal model, normal scale was found as best fit for the gillnet catch data while bi-normal was identified as suitable model for the hook catch data. The mesh size of 14.5 cm and hook No. 5 performed better than the other modeled meshes and hooks respectively. Gillnet selectivity data did not converge into bi-normal model due to single mode of capture. However, the hook catch data converged into bi-normal model with two modes of selection curve. Over dispersion was found common in catch data obtained from both gears due to larger size of fishes caught and demonstrated lack of fit in both selection data

Cultivation of Ginger in Sikkim under an Organic System

Ginger is grown extensively throughout India due to its high value and ginger is used for wide range of purposes like in confectionery, traditional medicine for stomach ache, food additives and pickles. The major ginger-producing states include Kerala, Assam, Gujarat, Orissa, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram. It is one of the main cash crops in Himalayan state of Sikkim. In Northeast India, especially in Sikkim, ginger serves as a source of income for small and marginal farmers. It is cultivated in a varying degree of altitude, but the elevation of 1500 above msl is found to be more suitable. Ginger is a tropical plant, and warm, humid climate is the most ideal for ginger cultivation; it grows best in rich soil and shady places. Sikkim has its own indigenous cultivars of ginger, and the prominent varieties that are being cultivated in Sikkim are Bhaise, Gorubathane, Majhaule, Tange, Patle and Jorethang. November to January after 8–9 months of sowing is the optimum time for harvesting ginger; however, this follows the market demand dynamics in Sikkim. Under organic conditions, farmers normally get a yield of 90–100 q/ha depending on ginger cultivation practices. Progressive farmers by adopting improved method of ginger cultivation get on an average of Rs. 150,000 per hectare (benefit-cost ratio varied from 3.50 to 3.80)

‘XYZ’ application as a tool for teaching and learning in institutions of higher learning: an exploratory study

Teaching and learning in institutions of higher learning has undergone transformation as a result of rapid development in the field of communication and technologies. The emergence of social networking sites has paved the way for the enhancement of teaching and learning approaches. The focus of this study is on ‘XYZ’ application (the actual name is not disclosed due to confidentiality) that was recently launched in Malaysia. Using a mixed research method, the study investigated the perceptions of undergraduate students in a public university to identify the viability of this application in comparison with other applications and to analyze its effectiveness as a tool for teaching and learning. The findings indicate the application has good features that enhance the effectiveness of the teaching and learning process. However, there is concern about the limited compatibility of this application. The paper ends with recommendations on how the application can be improved

Participation of women in post harvest fisheries sector

Women in India are traditionally involved in agriculture, dairying, animal husbandry and fisheries. The fisheries sector makes an important contribution to the national economy with a share of 2.5% of the GDP providing food and employmen