Invisible Migration in India’s North-eastern Region

If Bangladesh continues to deny illegal migration taking place from its territory to the north-eastern region of India, in the similar vein, India is unable to provide evidence of any Bangladeshi nationals staying illegally in its territory as sought by the former. However, the successive Indian governments and major political parties have consistently promised to detect foreign nationals who are believed to be staying illegally in different parts of the country. India also continues to refrain from discussing the matter with Bangladesh. But, the concerns of ethnic communities in the north-eastern region of the country of being increasingly outnumbered by the non-indigenous population in their land have led to the rise of organised resistance movements. As a result, several agreements have been concluded in which the central government promised to take measures to detect foreign nationals from the region. Meanwhile, the recently updated citizens’ register of Assam and the amended citizenship law of the country have rather upset the region’s ethnic communities. They are worried and helpless at the same time. This essay intends to discuss these issues in detail

Factors Influencing Consumer Intentions to Purchase Groceries Over the Internet: an Exploratory Study During the Pandemic

Purpose:  As a result, the current study focused on e-commerce in the retail sector to examine the factors influencing consumer purchasing of online groceries throughout Covid-19 in Bangkok, Thailand.   Theoretical framework:  Using Technology acceptance model (TAM) as the underpinning theoretical framework, which was presented by Davis and his colleagues it in 1989, to accomplish this, this study identified five independent variables that can influence online grocery purchase intent. These are perceived utility, perceived ease of use, and other additional variables such as online accessibility, security perception, and shipment services.   Design/methodology/approach: The convenience sampling approach, which is considered a nonprobability sampling method, was used to collect the data from 384 respondents via an online survey from the population in this study. Internet users between the ages of 19 and 65 years or older who live in Bangkok and buy groceries for themselves and/or family members from Thai physical and/or online retailers were the target demographic. Multiple regression analysis is used to test the significance of the research model.   Findings:  The findings reveal that pandemic has a considerable influence on Bangkok customers' online purchase intent. The result of linear regression analysis shows the three variables: perceived ease of use, shipment services and online accessibility significantly affected the online grocery shopping intent of consumers in Bangkok. While security perception and perceived utility had no significant effect on the online grocery shopping intent of consumers in Bangkok.   Research, Practical & Social implications: The implication drawn from this study helps the researchers and firms to rapidly adapt and adjust their marketing strategy, with a focus on digitization, as consumers want to prevent the infection and the danger of Covid-19, but stores are having difficulty reaching clients.   Originality/value:  The findings reveal that Covid-19 has a considerable influence on customers' online purchase intent residing in Bangkok and this research adds another perspective from Thailand Context

Kinetics Of Growth And Ice Nucleation Activity Of Pseudomonas Syringae

Pseudomonas syringae causes freezing of supercooled water at temperatures close to 0{dollar}\sp\circ{dollar}C. In this study, the growth kinetics and ice nucleation activity (INA) of the bacterium P. syringae cit 7 were investigated under a variety of culture conditions as well as in batch and continuous bioreactors. The drop freezing assay technique used for measurement of INA was first investigated and the effect of several variables on this assay was examined. When P. syringae cit 7 was cultured aerobically in a medium consisting of sucrose, peptone, K{dollar}\sb2{dollar}HPO{dollar}\sb4{dollar}, KH{dollar}\sb2{dollar}PO{dollar}\sb4{dollar}, and MgSO{dollar}\sb4\cdot{dollar}7H{dollar}\sb2{dollar}O (pH 7.0) at 25{dollar}\sp\circ{dollar}C for 48 h, the highest INA was detected at {dollar}-{dollar}2.5{dollar}\sp\circ{dollar}C. The INA expressed by the bacteria was independent of cooling rate at cooling rates less than 0.2{dollar}\sp\circ{dollar}C/min. Cell growth at temperatures exceeding 25{dollar}\sp\circ{dollar}C led to a decrease in INA expression of cells. Similarly, cell growth at pH of 8.0 also decreased the INA of the bacteria. Microaerophylic conditions during cell growth also decreased INA in the P. syringae cit 7 bacteria. In a 1 L bioreactor, the optimum cell growth temperature P. syringae cit 7 was found to be 28{dollar}\sp\circ{dollar}C. INA of the cells developed in the lag as well as log phase of growth. The maximum INA in the bioreactor was obtained at the end of the exponential phase of growth at each temperature investigated. In the bioreactor growth at temperatures greater than 25{dollar}\sp\circ{dollar}C led to a significant decrease in INA. Batch cell growth kinetics in the 15 L bioreactor followed a similar trend to the 1 L bioreactor.;Under continuous cultivation in a 1 L bioreactor at 25{dollar}\sp\circ{dollar}C, and pH 7.0, the INA of P. syringae decreased with an increase in dilution rate. A maximum specific growth rate of 0.08 h{dollar}\sp{lcub}-1{rcub}{dollar}, and a K{dollar}\sb{lcub}\rm s{rcub}{dollar} of 0.21 g/L were obtained under these conditions. Under continuous conditions, cell productivity reached a maximum at a dilution rate of 0.054 h{dollar}\sp{lcub}-1{rcub}{dollar} and then continuously decreased. A mechanistic, unstructured model describing the batch growth kinetics in the 1 L bioreactor was found to adequately represent the growth and INA in the bioreactor. The results of this investigation can be applied towards large scale production of P. syringae bacteria for snow making applications

ADAM AND AMS SCALE FOR ASSESSING ANDROPAUSE AMONG AGING INDIAN MEN

Objective: According to Indian Census 2011, India has 9% of population above the age of 60 years. Since andropause related effects are gradual and mimic many disease processes, clinical diagnosis is difficult to make. Very few studies have been done in North India to assess the awareness about andropause in males, which is why this study was conceived. To assess the awareness and knowledge about Andropause and its treatment modalities in males of Chandigarh.Methods: The present study was conducted at Urban Health Training Centre (UHTC-44 B) of Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh (GMCH) in male patients attending outpatient department. This non-interventional, individual cross sectional study was done from Aug 2010- Aug 2011 in males 40 years and above. Systematic random sampling was done and study sample comprised of 757 males. The subjects were given pre-structured and pre-tested questionnaire that had questions pertaining to socio-demographic profile, Ageing Men Score scale (AMS scale), ADAM scale (Androgen Decline in Ageing Men), views about andropause and its treatment modalities.Results: Maximum subjects were from age group 40-49yrs (342; 45.17%), followed by those in age group of 60-69 years (141; 18.6%). 530 respondents (70%) indicated previous awareness regarding andropause or male menopause. Among andropause aware subjects, 440 (83.02%) respondents had poor knowledge about andropause and only 90 (16.98%) test takers actually had good knowledge about andropause. Age and marital status had little effect on knowledge of andropause. 627 (82.82%) had symptoms positive for andropause. Only 123 (19.61%) respondents were aware of treatment for andropause, 158 (25.21%) were willing to take treatment for andropause in form of testosterone injections or transdermal patches when informed about treatment options by health care workers. 360 (57.41%) respondents believed that healthy diet, exercise, herbal medications, Viagra and/or multivitamins can be used to treat andropause and refused to take testosterone injections. Remaining 239 (38.11%) respondents were not able to decide whether they want to take any treatment for andropause.Conclusion: Though awareness about andropause was seen among most men but the study shows the need for provision of health education to increase the knowledge of andropause among adult males

Level of Understanding, Information Needs and Practices of Adolescent Girls about Selected Puberty Related Health and Nutrition Problems

Introduction: Adolescents comprise one-fifth of the Indian population.1 Adolescent girls represent one of the most vulnerable sections of the society. Their felt needs pertaining to routine health problems remain unaddressed. Objective: To ascertain the level of understanding, information needs and practices of rural and urban adolescent girls of Chandigarh about puberty-related health and nutrition problems. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study with a sample size of 120 girls (30 from each of the two schools of urban area and two schools of rural area, U.T. Chandigarh). Multi-stage sampling was done. Data was collected by means of a self-administered, structured questionnaire constituting elements on level of information regarding puberty, nutrition and related health problems, practices and needs. Data analysis was done through Epidata and SPSS statistical software. Results: Many respondents (43.3%) reported menstruation as the most disturbing factor followed by changes in body shape (e.g. appearance of pubic hair) and size. Some (28.3% rural and 40% urban girls) reported the problem of acne while fatty body was major problem for rural girls. Excess facial hair growth was also reported by many (21.7% urban and 6.7% rural) girls. More than 70% girls experienced pain during menstruation. Hygienic practices including usage and disposal of sanitary pads were found to be adequate. Conclusion: Hygienic practices and usage of sanitary pads was found to be adequate but the girls got disturbed due to various puberty-related health problems. There were many lifestyle issues that existed among the respondents such as lack of physical activity, obesity, acne, facial hair growth, dysmenorrhea, irregular menses, etc. Also some girls were suffering from low self-esteem due to the above cited problems. Recommendation: A lot has been done on menstruation, its awareness and hygiene. Now, the time is to focus on associated issues and problems