Prehistoric landscapes, humans and ostriches: Highlighting geoarchaeological issues in the Tapi basin of Maharashtra (west-central India) - A multidisciplinary approach

2021 ◽  
pp. SP515-2020-206
Author(s):  
Prabhin Sukumaran ◽  
Hong-Chun Li ◽  
Jih-Pai Lin ◽  
Parth R. Chauhan
Keyword(s):  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Landsat Imagery ◽  
Central India ◽  
Shuttle Radar Topography Mission ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Changing Environments ◽  
West Central ◽  
Field Evidence ◽  
Tapi Basin ◽  
Ostrich Eggshell

AbstractThe formal beginning of geoarchaeology in India can be traced back to 1863 when the first Palaeolith was documented and collected by Robert Bruce Foote in Tamil Nadu and later described in a detailed geological context. Today, various geological tools such as geospatial analytical tools are available to provide extra mileage to geoarchaeological investigations. They supplement field evidence and enable researchers to display, manipulate, and model geological data and the associated archaeological evidence. The present paper attempts to summarise the current status of understanding the Quaternary geoarchaeology of the Tapi River basin in west-central India. The aspects considered include geomorphology, landform evolution, morphometric parameters, relationships between climate and basin evolution, and Palaeolithic and Mesolithic evidence. This present study uses Landsat imagery, locational data, Survey of India (SOI) topographic sheets and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data in ArcGIS software. The study is the first comprehensive attempt to summarise the issue of prehistoric human adaptations (dominated mainly by Late Pleistocene evidence) through changing environments, with an assumption that the two occurred in synchronisation. Another assumption is that the reported lithic and fossil sites and the surrounding areas have preserved signatures of original landforms and sedimentary contexts.Through these perspectives and visual integration of topography, drainage networks and Landsat image parameters in a Geographic Information System (GIS) platform, along with other variable field inputs, a testable hypothetical model of the Quaternary evolution of Central Tapi valley is proposed. Additionally, an AMS date of 47,145 cal BP for a newly-discovered ostrich eggshell fragment from Sakegaon near Bhusawal is presented and its palaeoanthropological implications are discussed. Altogether, our observations from the study area, such as an expansion of land use from the Acheulean onwards, signatures of arid phases and the oldest reported ostrich eggshell (OES), warrant further detailed multidisciplinary research. An in-depth understanding of the first-to-last occurrences of ostriches in the region and comprehensive picture of their pan- South Asian distribution, in general, will help address the issue of prehistoric human adaptations through changing environments.

scholarly journals Women are more likely to expect social sanctions for open defecation: Evidence from Tamil Nadu India

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinyi Kuang ◽  
Sania Ashraf ◽  
Alex Shpenev ◽  
Maryann G. Delea ◽  
Upasak Das ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Open Defecation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Peer Monitoring ◽  
Social Sanctions ◽  
Field Evidence ◽  
Desirable Behavior

Social sanctions can be effective for sustaining beneficial norms by harnessing the power of social pressure and peer monitoring. Yet, field evidence regarding how norms might be linked to perceived risk of sanction is limited. In this study, we focused on communities located in peri-urban areas of Tamil Nadu, India, and examined how people’s perceived prevalence of a socially desirable behavior (i.e., toilet use) relates to the perceived risk of sanctions for deviating from this behavior (i.e., open defecation) in the sanitation domain. Cross-sectional data from 2427 participants in 75 communities revealed that the majority (77%, n = 1861) perceived the risk of informal sanctions related to open defecation. Among those, verbal reprimand was the most common (60%), followed by advice (30%) and gossip (7%). Results from multilevel logistic regression indicated that those who believed toilet use was prevalent in their community were more likely to perceive the risk of social sanctions for open defecation. Moderation analysis revealed that this relationship was robust among women, but attenuated among men. Our findings suggest that women are more likely to expect social sanctions if they deviate from what is perceived as the prevalent sanitation behavior (e.g., toilet use) in their community. Open defecation practices are known to cause psychosocial stress among women due to their experiences with sanitation insecurity, which may include fear of disapproval from community members. Our results highlight the need for gendered intervention strategies when sanitation programs leverage social influence for behavior change.

Breeding Biology of the Mottled Wood-Owl (Strix ocellata) in West-central India

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 240-244
Author(s):  
Satish Pande ◽  
Reuven Yosef ◽  
Prashant Deshpande ◽  
Rajkumar Pawar ◽  
Murlidhar N. Mahajan
Keyword(s):  
Central India ◽  
Breeding Biology ◽  
West Central

Status of digitization of medical records in oncology centers in India: A survey of current status.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (29_suppl) ◽  
pp. 306-306
Author(s):  
Karthika Nageswararaj ◽  
Sripriya Raman ◽  
Anis Basha
Keyword(s):  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Surgical Oncology ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Foreign Countries ◽  
Paper Chart ◽  
The Status ◽  
Ehr Adoption ◽  
Abstract Submission ◽  
Survey Responses

306 Background: Electronic medical or health record (EMR/EHR) system is yet to be universally adopted in India. In 2012 and 2016 Indian Ministry of Health published a detailed roadmap for EHR adoption. We wanted to assess the status of EMR/EHR adoption in oncology centers in India. Methods: Authors developed a short online survey to capture the use of paper charts vs. generic EMR vs. oncology specific EMR by practicing oncologists in India. The survey was shared to oncologists on June 6, 2020 through closed social media groups. Responses to the survey were collected anonymously and data aggregated for analysis. Survey will remain open till July 4, 2020. Results: At the time of abstract submission on June 16, there were 48 unique survey responses. Of those who responded to the survey, 69% were 25-45 years of age, 73% male, 71% were practicing in the state of Tamil Nadu, and 21% were practicing in a rural area or close to a small city. Oncologists from all subspecialties were represented in the survey including radiation oncology (65%), surgical oncology (25%), medical oncology (6%), and pediatric oncology/nuclear medicine (4%). About 46% had completed their training within the last 10 years, and 30% of respondents have done part of their training in foreign countries. Summary of responses to our survey is provided in the table below. Conclusions: Paper chart is still the predominant mode of clinical data capture within oncology. Administrative barriers and cost are perceived as major obstacles despite most oncologists reporting that they would very likely adapt to an onco specific EMR. [Table: see text]

scholarly journals Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology of Terna River Basin in West Central India

2012 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-167
Author(s):  
Mohammad Babar ◽  
Radhakrishna Chunchekar ◽  
Madhusudan G. Yadava ◽  
Bhagwan Ghute
Keyword(s):  
River Basin ◽  
Central India ◽  
Quaternary Geology ◽  
West Central

Abstract. Im vorgelegten Artikel werden die Morphostratigraphie, Lithostratigraphie sowie die Sedimentstrukturen des Terna Beckens in der Deccan Basaltic Province (DBP) im westlichen Zentralindien vorgestellt. Die Quartärablagerungen können in drei große Einheiten unterteilt werden (i) dunkelgraue Schluffablagerungen – Spätes Holozän, (ii) hellgraue Schluffablagerungen – Frühes Holozän, (iii) dunkelgrau-braune Schluffablagerungen – Spätpleistozän mit altquartären alluvialen Absätzen mit oberpleistozänen Altern. Die feinen tonig-schluffigen Ablagerungen im Unterlauf des Flusses deuten auf ruhige Ablagerungsbedingungen und einen sinusartigen Abfluss hin. Der Fluss zeigt Tendenzen zu abschwemmungsbedingten Gerinneverlagerungen, die wiederum durch vorhandene Bruchlinien gesteuert wurden. Entlang des Terna-Flusses konnten weiterhin Paläouferrücken in Form von 4–5 m hohen Rücken nachgewiesen werden, hier vor allem im Bereich der OrtschaftenTer, Killari, Sastur, Dhuta und Makni. Einige nachgewiesene Bruchlinien treten vor allem in NE-SE, NW-SE, E-W und WNW-ESE-Richtung auf und bestimmen die Struktur des Grundgebirges im Untersuchungsgebiet. Die TSI-Werte (Topographic Sinousity Index) verdeutlichen einen Erosionswechsel im Untersuchungsgebiet mit einer Verstärkung des topographischen Einflusses auf die Ausformung der Abflussbahnen. Die im Profil sichtbare Geländekante zeugt weiterhin von einer tektonischen Hebung des Gebietes im Quartär. Radiokohlenstoffdatierungen, die an einigen Holzkohlefragmenten durchgeführt wurden, die aus gefalteten Ablagerungen entnommen wurden, deuten darauf hin, dass eine seismische Aktivität in der Zeitspanne zwischen 120–1671 n. Chr. stattgefunden haben kann.

scholarly journals Ethnoveterinary Plants used against Horn Cancer or Broken Horn Disease among Tribals of West Nimar Madhya Pradesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (07) ◽  
pp. 68-71
Author(s):  
Parashar Preeti and D. A. Dhale
Keyword(s):  
Central India ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Madhya Pradesh ◽  
Western Region ◽  
Plant Products ◽  
West Central ◽  
Whole Plant ◽  
Cow Urine ◽  
River Valleys ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

West Nimaris the South Western region of Madhya Pradesh state in West Central India. The region lies south of the Vindhya Ranges and consists of two portions of the Narmada and Tapti river valleys separated by a section of the Satpurarange. Bhil, Bhilala, Gond, Nayika and Tadwi are dominant tribe of the region. They are dependent on plant based medium and other for recovery of their ailment. The purpose of these studies was to gather ethnoveterinary medicinal knowledge from the area's livestock owners. Traditional healers gathered data on ethnoveterinary medicines through verbal and informal interviews, followed by a well-structured questionnaire. The majority of plants are dicotyledons, with monocotyledons accounting for a small percentage of the total. The leaves are used the most, followed by roots, rhizome, stem, gum, whole plant, and fruits. In the treatment, dermal approaches are used. In many circumstances, plant products, such as sindoor (vermillion), and cow urine, are utilised to treat horn cancer or fractured horn

scholarly journals Cerebrovascular Diseases in West Central India

BMJ ◽  
1968 ◽  
Vol 3 (5621) ◽  
pp. 769-774 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. M. Dalal ◽  
P. M. Shah ◽  
R. R. Aiyar ◽  
B. J. Kikani
Keyword(s):  
Central India ◽  
Cerebrovascular Diseases ◽  
West Central

scholarly journals Characterizing Drought in India Using GRACE Observations of Terrestrial Water Storage Deficit

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 381-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debanjan Sinha ◽  
Tajdarul H. Syed ◽  
James S. Famiglietti ◽  
John T. Reager ◽  
Reis C. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Water Storage ◽  
Central India ◽  
Terrestrial Water Storage ◽  
Drought Intensity ◽  
West Central ◽  
Terrestrial Water ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Gravity Recovery

Abstract Frequent recurrences of drought in India have had major societal, economical, and environmental impacts. While region-specific assessments are abundant, exhaustive appraisal over large spatial scales has been insubstantial. Here a new drought index called Water Storage Deficit Index (WSDI) is devised and analyzed for holistic representation of drought. The crux of the method is the employment of terrestrial water storage (TWS) variations from Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) for quantification of drought intensity and severity. Drought events in recent times are well identified and quantified using the approach over four homogenous rainfall regions of India over the period from April 2002 to April 2015. Among the four regions, the highest peak deficit of −158.00 mm is observed in January 2015 over central India. While the drought of 2002–04 is prominent in peninsular and west-central India, the drought of 2009–10 and 2012–13 is conspicuous in almost all four regions of India. The longest deficit period of 23 months (from February 2009 to December 2010) and the highest severity value of −26.31 are observed in central and northwestern India, respectively. WSDI values show an increasing trend in west-central India (0.07 yr−1), indicating recovery from previously existing drought conditions. On the contrary, a decreasing trend in WSDI is observed in northwestern (−0.07 yr−1) and central (−0.18 yr−1) India. Results demonstrate considerable confidence in the potential of WSDI for robust characterization of drought over large spatial scales.

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