Performance Evaluation of Some Index Funds-Indian Perspective

The popularity of the index funds as an investment option has increased manifolds ever since they were introduced. This is primarily because of the merits that the investor enjoys through passive style of funds management. This includes the low cost involved in managing such funds and the significant tax savings. However the index funds of US and for that reason other parts of the world are different from that of India. Unlike other countries in India the benchmark indices comprise of very less number of securities and thus are unable to represent the entire economy. So in Indian context comparison of performance of actively managed funds with index funds is not logical. Therefore this paper attempts to make an intra-class performance evaluation of some Indian index funds based on some statistics

Prevalence of hypothyroid dysfunction among third trimester pregnant women and its effect on maternal and fetal outcome

Background: Thyroid disorders are the predominant endocrinological afflictions of pregnancy that if were to affect the mother and her child, would lead to various complications. Methods: A randomized study among 450 third trimester admitted cases for any indication were subjected to thyroid functions by TSH, Free T4 and TPO Ab. Total 61 mothers (54 hypothyroidism and 7 sub clinical hyperthyroidism) had thyroid dysfunction. These 54 hypothyroid mothers were further evaluated during the remaining course of gestation for feto-maternal outcomes. Results: Out of 450 third trimester ANC cases 61(13.5%) had deranged thyroid functions in third trimester.  Out of 61patients, 18 (29.50%) patients had TPO Ab positive. Prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism, overt hypothyroidism, and subclinical hyperthyroidism was 9.6%, 2.45%, and 1.5%, respectively. Anemia was found in 9.3% of SCH and 27.3% cases in OH cases. Preeclampsia was found in 16.2% cases of SCH and 18.2% cases in OH cases. Gestational diabetes mellitus was noticed among 16.27% cases of SCH and 18.18% cases of OH. Previous abortions were present among 65.1% cases of SCH and 45.45% cases of OH. Placental abruption and cardiac failure were observed in 4.65% and 2.34% of SCH only. Cesarean delivery occurred in 18.6% of SCH and 36.36% of overt hypothyroidism. Conclusions: This study concludes a high prevalence of thyroid disorders as subclinical hypothyroidism (9.6%), overt hypothyroidism (2.5%) and subclinical hyperthyroidism (1.5%) in third trimester pregnancy

In Search of a Winning Combination-Evidence from India

With the introduction of Mutual funds in India in 1963, the Indian investor has shown positive response to mutual fund investments which is evidenced through increasing AUM (Assets Under Management) every quarter. So far as management style is concerned the industry offers two options to the common investor- on one hand the passively managed funds with the sole objective of replicating their benchmark index and on the other the actively managed funds where the fund manager continuously puts his efforts to enhance the returns, by making frequent changes in the composition of the portfolio. The common investor with limited savings cannot be expected to hold too many funds in his portfolio. Further with limited exposure to financial concepts and complexities he is left guessing on the right combination of funds that should constitute his small portfolio. This paper is a sincere attempt to address the above mentioned situation. We have empirically tested and shown that given the restricted savings which combination, either only two passively managed funds, two actively managed funds or a portfolio comprising of one of each type will win the race for the investor. This paper will be of interest, particularly to the small investors, academicians as well as the financial advisors

Penicillum oxalicum spg1: A novel entomopathogenic fungus isolated from mummified Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) of cotton

Whitefly has assumed the status of a serious pest of cotton in north India in recent past due to its severe attack on cotton crop. The productivity of cotton crop has fallen substantially from 574 kg ha-1 of lint in the year 2014 -15 to 197 kg ha-1 in the year 2015-16 in Punjab. During extensive epidemiological surveillance of whitefly on cotton crop in the month of September 2016, mummified whiteflies with fungus were noticed on both abaxial and adaxial surfaces of leaves of the infested cotton plant at village, Mandi Khurd, Mansa District of Punjab, India and at Punjab Agricultural University, Regional Research Station, Bathinda, India. The fungus was isolated and purified from the mummified white fly and characterized at molecular level by sequencing 633 bp D2 region of Large Subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and identified as Penicillium oxalicum spg1. The gene sequence has been submitted to NCBI, USA with accession no. KY214238. The microscopic studies (stereo- and scanning electron) of the cotton leaves with mummified whitefly further strengthen the entomopathogenic potential of P. oxalicum spg1. There are few reports of entomopathogenic potential of P. oxalicum spg1 against other insects and pests. To our knowledge, this is the first report of isolation and identification of P. oxalicum spg1 from mummified white fly. It’s potential as a biocontrol agent against white fly can be exploited in a promising way with nominal interference with biological equilibrium

Randomized trial of suturing versus electrosurgical bipolar vessel sealing in abdominal hysterectomy

Background: Hemorrhage is one of the most frequent complications that occur during surgery, adequate hemostatic techniques are essential during surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to compare the conventional suturing with the bipolar clamping and the effects of bipolar vessel sealing in women undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy.Methods: A randomized controlled trial was performed at Smt. Kashibai Navale Medical College and General Hospital, Maharashtra, India. One hundred fourteen patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy for benign conditions were randomized to conventional surgery versus vessel sealing followed up for 06 weeks post operatively.Results: During the first two postoperative days patients operated using bipolar vessel sealing had statistically significantly lower pain scores and blood loss (p<0.01). The surgery time, complication risk and duration of hospitalization were similar between both groups. Patients in the bipolar vessel sealing group resumed their normal daily activities on average 6 days earlier as compared to the conventional group ( p = 0.07). Postoperative pelvic floor function was similar in both the groups.Conclusions: The use of bipolar vessel sealing during abdominal hysterectomy for benign conditions appears to be associated with reduced blood loss, postoperative pain and faster recovery

Role of Organic Sources of Nutrients in Rice (Oryza sativa) Based on High Value Cropping Sequence

The organic nitrogen (N) nutrition of organic manuring with biofertilizers had the highest rice equivalent grain yield, production efficiency, net energy return, as well as net monetary return and profitability in rice-based cropping sequence. The different rice-based cropping sequences did not differ with respect to yield and quality parameters. However, the organic N nutrition with organic manures along with biofertilizers proved significantly superior with respect to yield and quality parameters of rice, potato, and onion, respectively. The different rice-based cropping sequences differ with respect to nutrient uptake, e.g., rice-maize-onion had the highest removal of major (N, P, K), secondary (S), and micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu) than the rest of cropping sequence, which was significantly superior to the rest of the sequences. The organic N nutrition with organic manures along with biofertilizers proved superior due to its visible favorable effect on soil health with respect to nutrient status and microbial count and this indicates the utilization of this low-cost but long-term beneficial practice under high-intensity cropping for sustainable crop production

Comparative study of intravenous iron sucrose versus ferric carboxymaltose for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in postpartum patients

Background: Objectives: To study the efficacy and safety of intravenous iron sucrose versus ferric carboxymaltose in the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in postpartum patients.Methods: Well compensated anemic postpartum patients with Hb between 7-11 gm% at 24 hours after delivery were included in the study. Patients were thoroughly investigated for hematological parameters. All patients were checked for hemoglobin and serum ferritin at 24 hours after delivery and 42 days after delivery. Each patient in mild and moderate anemia group has received a fixed dose of 500 mg and 1000 mg respectively of both compounds. All other iron supplements (except from diet) were withheld during follow up period.  Results: Average rise in Hb in mild anemia group is 2.30 gm% with iron sucrose and 2.52 gm% with ferric carboxymaltose after 42 days of infusion. In moderate anemia group average Hb rise observed is 4.58 gm% with iron sucrose and 4.73 gm% with ferric carboxymaltose after 42 days. Significant improvement in iron stores is also observed at the end of 42 days in both groups. Unpaired‘t’ test was used to test the significance of rise and compare the rise between two groups. Both compounds have shown similar response and difference between them is not statistically significant.  Conclusions: Fixed dose iron sucrose and ferric carboxymaltose are equally effective and safe for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in postpartum patients.

SWINE FLU- THE CHANGING SCENARIO AND PREPAREDNESS WITH FORMULATION OF WIN FLU AIR FRESHENER GEL

Swine flu is an emerging viral infection that is a present global public health problem. There are many thousand cases of swine flu can be seen around the world in the present day. Due to the nature of a respiratory virus, the transmission of this pathogenic virus is airborne transmission. Hence, the rapid spreading and difficulty in control of this infection can be expected. Ayurved believes in Nidan parivarjan and recommends the strengthening of the immunity to prevent disease like swine flu from its attack. There are no any medicines or vaccination are available now a days for prevent from swine flu. Mask is an only available option from avoiding the virus, but sometimes it fails to stop the infection and peoples are unable to wearing mask for all time. So there is a need to develop such a thing which we can carry easily with us and protecting from the infection. Many environment purification techniques (like Homa, Yagya, Dhoopana) have been mentioned in our classical texts. Several scientific studies have validated the clinical efficacy of air freshener against the viral stains. Freshener is a household product that can release the chemicals they contain into the air and inhaled by consumers. The purpose of this research is to determine the ability of herbal essential oil to be formulated as a WIN FLU- air freshener gel with fragrance of citrus oil and binder of peppermint oil. Gel formulation in the study was made from a mixture of herbal essential oil (carom seed, Eucalyptus, Basil, Ginger, Clove), sodium benzoate, peppermint and citrus essential oil in distilled water with a variety of different concentrations of herbal essential oil at 1%, 2% and 3%, then performed an evaluation form hedonic test gel with 30 panelists, evaporation of a liquid test during 4 weeks of storage. The results of this study indicate that the best gel formula is the formula A3 with an herbal essential oil concentration of 3%. Results per cent of total evaporation of liquid air freshener gel formula are respectively 59.12%, 42.32%, 21.22%