scholarly journals Spatio-temporal distribution of bovine leptospirosis in Tamil Nadu and a risk factor analysis

Author(s):  
K Senthilkumar ◽  
G Ravikumar ◽  
RP Aravindhbabu

Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease that causes abortions, infertility and mastitis in cattle. This research was aimed at investigating the temporal and spatial pattern, sex, age, breed wise distribution of leptospirosis in Tamil Nadu. A seroreactivity of 28.2% was noticed among cattle in seven agro-climatic zones. The temporal trend of leptospirosis recorded during the post-monsoon season (30.5%) was significant when compared to the pre-monsoon season (25.8%). The spatial distribution revealed a high proportion of leptospirosis (31.2%) in the North East zone in comparison with the other zones. The serogroups Australis (37.9%), Hebdomadis (30.6%), Hardjo (29.9%), Javanica (28.1%) and Pomona (19.7%) were predominant in all the agro-climatic zones. The observation of 44.2% seroreactivity in buffaloes is most probably associated with the wallowing behaviour. A high seroreactivity of 31.1% in Holstein Friesian than that compared with the native breed discloses a breed susceptibility. A seroreactivity of 30.2% in animals aged above three years shows an age-related susceptibility, but there was no significant difference between the sexes. The seroreactivity among the animals in an organised farm (33.8%) is higher than in individually reared animals (25.5%) indicating the impact of the rearing system. The three Leptospira strains isolated were identified as the Leptospira interrogans serogroup Australis, Canicola and Sejroe. This study depicted the epidemiology of leptospirosis in cattle and emphasises the need of leptospirosis to be included in cattle health surveillance programmes.

Author(s):  
Bruce Davenport ◽  
Andrew Newman ◽  
Suzanne Moffatt

The benefits of volunteering for older volunteers and for the organisations who host them is well-documented. The impact of being obliged to leave volunteering due to age-related conditions, and any challenges that this creates for volunteer managers, are under-researched. This study explored how volunteers and volunteer managers experienced this point in the volunteering lifecycle and whether the topic warranted further research. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with fourteen older people, who were (or had been) volunteers at one of three cultural heritage organisations in the north-east of England alongside seven volunteer managers from those organisations. These represented the diversity of heritage organisations in the region. Volunteers discussed leaving volunteering in terms of loss but also indicated that forms of personal appraisal and agency were possible, ameliorating the impact of leaving. Volunteer managers discussed how organisational frameworks and the relationships they formed with volunteers shaped their practices. These relationships created a sense of organisational reciprocity which led some managers to exceed the rules in order to sustain people in their volunteering. The results suggest that supporting personal agency could ameliorate the impact of leaving volunteering but that organisations would benefit from articulating the extent and the limits of that support.


Author(s):  
Parthasarathi Gurusamy ◽  
Balasubramanian Rudrasamy ◽  
M. S. Raman

Finger millet is widely grown all parts of the world and it is consumed by all people. This paper studies the impact of climate variability on yield of finger millet crop in Tamil Nadu using Panel regression analysis. The data on maximum and minimum rainfall, maximum and minimum temperature and yield of finger millet was collected and used for analysis. Panel data model was used to estimate effect of climate variability. The temperature and its square terms shows the significant impact on finger millet yield, it means after the certain level increase in temperature leads to yield loss. The square term of the SWM maximum temperature will increase the yield of finger millet up to a threshold level, beyond which the yield will decrease. Higher temperature during north-east monsoon season would mean lower yield rates. The regression coefficient of interaction term for NEM rainfall and NEM maximum temperature was found to be positive which indicate that the joint effect of rainfall and temperature during the north-east monsoon season on finger millet yield was positive thus contributing for increased productivity. Thus increasing in climatic variables would support the millets up to a certain level and after that it lower the yield of finger millet.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1203 (3) ◽  
pp. 032109
Author(s):  
Iwona Pokorska-Silva ◽  
Artur Nowoświat ◽  
Weronika Gać

Abstract The paper presents the analyses involving energy demand of a single-family building located in various climatic zones. When designing buildings, special attention is paid to material and technological solutions, but often the climatic zone in which the building is to be located is not taken into account. Therefore, the article considers the location of building in five climatic zones in Poland and it investigates the impact of the location on its energy demand. It turned out that the location of the building in zone V, i.e. in the north-east of the country, determines the highest energy demand for heating compared to the rest of the country. The work demonstrates the impact of a climatic zone in which the building is located on its energy demand.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Christiane Völter ◽  
Lisa Götze ◽  
Imme Haubitz ◽  
Janine Müther ◽  
Stefan Dazert ◽  
...  

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Age-related hearing loss affects about one-third of the population worldwide. Studies suggest that hearing loss may be linked to cognitive decline and auditory rehabilitation may improve cognitive functions. So far, the data are limited, and the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. The study aimed to analyze the impact of cochlear implantation on cognition in a large homogeneous population of hearing-impaired adults using a comprehensive non-auditory cognitive assessment with regard to normal-hearing (NH) subjects. <b><i>Material and Methods:</i></b> Seventy-one cochlear implant (CI) candidates with a postlingual, bilateral severe or profound hearing loss aged 66.3 years (standard deviation [SD] 9.2) and 105 NH subjects aged 65.96 years (SD 9.4) were enrolled. The computer-based neurocognitive tool applied included 11 subtests covering attention (M3), short- and long-term memory (recall and delayed recall), working memory (0- and 2-back, Operation Span [OSPAN] task), processing speed (Trail Making Test [TMT] A), mental flexibility (TMT B), inhibition (cFlanker and iFlanker), and verbal fluency. CI patients underwent a neurocognitive testing preoperatively as well as 12 months postoperatively. Impact of hearing status, age, gender, and education on cognitive subdomains was studied. Additionally, after controlling for education and age, cognitive performance of CI subjects (<i>n</i> = 41) was compared to that of NH (<i>n</i> = 34). <b><i>Results:</i></b> CI users achieved significantly better neurocognitive scores 12 months after cochlear implantation than before in most subtests (M3, [delayed] recall, 2-back, OSPAN, iFlanker, and verbal fluency; all <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05) except for the TMT A and B. A significant correlation could be found between the postoperative improvement in speech perception and in the attentional task M3 (<i>p</i> = 0.01). Hearing status (<i>p</i> = 0.0006) had the strongest effect on attention, whereas education had a high impact on recall (<i>p</i> = 0.002), OSPAN (<i>p</i> = 0.0004), and TMT A (<i>p</i> = 0.005) and B (<i>p</i> = 0.003). Inhibition was mainly age-dependent with better results in younger subjects (<i>p</i> = 0.016). Verbal fluency was predicted by gender as females outperformed men (<i>p</i> = 0.009). Even after controlling for age and education NH subjects showed a significantly better performance than CI candidates in the recall (<i>p</i> = 0.03) and delayed recall (<i>p</i> = 0.01) tasks. Postoperatively, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups anymore. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Impact of cochlear implantation on neurocognitive functions differs according to the cognitive subdomains. Postoperatively, CI recipients performed as good as age- and education-matched NH subjects.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noorfariza Nordin ◽  
Suhaily Mohd Hairon ◽  
Najib Majdi Yaacob ◽  
Anees Abdul Hamid ◽  
Seoparjoo Azmel Mohd Isa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background People with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are best managed by a chronic care model that is associated with enhanced quality of care and improved patient outcome. Assessing patients’ perceived quality of care is crucial in improving the healthcare delivery system. Hence, this study determined the perceived quality of care among people with T2DM and explored its associations with (i) sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and (ii) types of healthcare clinics to guide future planning. Methods A cross-sectional study involving 20 primary healthcare clinics in the North East Region of Peninsular Malaysia and people with T2DM as the sampling unit was conducted from February to May 2019. The pro forma checklist, interview-guided Skala Kepuasan Interaksi Perubatan-11, and Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (Malay version; PACIC-M) questionnaire were used for data collection. Univariate analysis and linear regression were used to determine the status of perceived quality of care and the factors associated with the perceived quality of care, respectively. Results Overall, data from 772 participants were analyzed. The majority was from the Malay ethnic group (95.6%) with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level of 8.91% (2.30). The median (interquartile range [IQR]) of the number of medical officers available at each clinic was 6 (7), with Family Doctor Concept (FDC) clinics having a higher number of medical officers than non-FDC clinics (p = 0.001). The overall mean (SD) PACIC-M score was 2.65 (0.54) with no significant difference between scores of patients treated in the two clinic types (p = 0.806). Higher perceived quality of care was associated with lower number of medical officers (adjusted regression coefficient [Adj.β], − 0.021; p-value [p], 0.001), and greater doctor–patient interaction in all domains: distress relief (Adj.β, 0.033; p, < 0.001), rapport (Adj.β, 0.056; p, < 0.001), and interaction outcome (Adj.β, 0.022; p, 0.003). Conclusion Although there was no significant difference found between clinic type, this study reflects that patients are comfortable when managed by the same doctor, which may support a better doctor-patient interaction. A larger specialized primary care workforce could improve diabetes care in Malaysia.


2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 5-17
Author(s):  
Mandy Harrison ◽  
Lisa Gross ◽  
Jennifer McGee

The purpose of this study is to examine how participation in the North Carolina Environmental Educator (NCEE) program influences the individual's perceived self-efficacy. Specifically, this study examines the impact of NCEE certification on participants’ perceived personal teaching self-efficacy. This study compared personal teaching efficacy scores of certified environmental educators, non-certified environmental educators, and licensed schoolteachers. The study found significant differences in teaching efficacy between certified and non-certified environmental educators, as well as certified environmental educators and licensed school teachers. In addition, the study found no significant difference in efficacy scores between NCEE certified licensed school teachers and NCEE certified environmental educators. Results of this study indicate a link between environmental education certification and higher personal teaching efficacy.


2008 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.K. Bashirullah ◽  
M.T. Diaz

AbstractThe qualitative and quantitative parameters of temporal distribution ofCucullanus tripapillatusandCucullanus chrysophrydesin the intestine ofOrthopristis ruberin the Caribbean Sea on the north of Margarita Island, Venezuela were analysed. A total of 540 fish were collected at random from the catch of commercial trawlers during 1982–83 and 1992–93. Both species ofCucullanuswere found throughout the year; prevalence and mean intensity ofC. tripapillatuswere higher than that ofC. chrysophrydes. A significant difference was found in infection between the two years of sampling. Female worms were more abundant than male in both years. Both species exhibited pronounced prevalence and maturity in September and March of each year, indicating seasonality. The patterns of occurrence of the two species ofCucullanusinO. ruberdid not change in the 10-year interval but the host size and number of parasites declined, which may be due to over-exploitation of definitive fish hosts.


Author(s):  
P. Masilamani ◽  
T. Eevera ◽  
T. Ramesh ◽  
S. Venkatesan

Background: The present investigation is an attempt to study the effect of different harvesting and threshing methods on germination and seedling vigour of dhaincha. The use of a combine harvester to harvest dhaincha will be an effective alternative method that has not been widely tried. However, work on different methods of harvesting and threshing of dhaincha is limited. Hence, a study was conducted to evaluate the impact of various harvesting and threshing methods on germination and seedling vigour of dhaincha. Methods: This study was conducted at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, TNAU, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. The dhaincha crop was harvested and threshed using four different methods viz., manual harvesting and manual threshing, manual harvesting and threshing by tractor treading, manual harvesting and mechanical threshing and harvesting and threshing by combine harvester. The resultant seeds were tested for mechanical damage and germination potential. The experiment was laid in completely randomized block design. Germination was tested by roll towel method using 100 seeds in four replications. Germination percentage, root and shoot length were measured in seven days after sowing from ten randomly selected seedlings in each replication. For the estimation of dry matter production, ten seedlings were selected at random and kept in a hot air oven maintained at 85oC for 24 hours after measuring their root and shoot length and vigour index was calculated. Mechanical damage to seeds was observed by ferric chloride test. Seed recovery per cent was calculated based on the 100 kgs of dhaincha seeds were cleaned and graded treatment wise using cleaner cum grader and the seeds retained on the bottom sieve were weighed and expressed as per cent of total quantity of seed. Result: The results revealed that the significant difference was found among the different harvesting and threshing methods. The seeds harvested and threshed by manual method recorded 85 per cent germination followed by seeds harvested manually and threshed by mechanical threshing (84 per cent) and seeds harvested manually and threshed by tractor treading (80.5 per cent). The lowest germination of 80.0 per cent was recorded by combine harvesting. From this study, it could be inferred that combine harvester is a modern method for harvesting of dhaincha that saves time and labour when compared to all other methods.


Author(s):  
V. Fedorov ◽  
T. Ippolitova ◽  
E. Sleptsov ◽  
K. Plemyashov

Purpose: Determination of the peculiarities of the behavior and the flow of childbirth in females (wrenches) of the northern home deer of the Even Breed of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), depending on the natural climatic zone of breeding.Material and research methods. Research of the reservation of the hotel's reservoir of the northern home deer was held from April to June in the reindeer herds of the mountain-taiga (FSUE «Yuchjuyuskoye») and the Tundrov zones (SHPZK «Taba-Yana») of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in the conditions of nomadic home reindeer herding since 2013 2018 In the study, the method of observation is used with the registration of motor activity of animals and the activities of individual bodies in a certain living environment.Results. To fix some patterns and species features of the generic process, 8 main elementary behavioral reactions spent venizables of northern domestic deer per day before childbirth: walking, feeding feed, chewing, leisure standing, rest lying, sleep, urination (how many times / total time), defecation (how many times / total time). Also marked 4 behavioral reactions on the hotel day: the exploitation time of the fetus, the licking of the calf, the time of the calf on his feet after delivery, the first reception of the mosper calf after birth. For each parameter, data reflected in tabular format is obtained.Conclusion. It has been established that the degree of adaptation of the northern domestic deer to the harsh conditions of existence in various natural-climatic zones of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is very high, which is manifested in a minor difference in the duration of the generic process and behavioral reactions at the vainer of the mountain and tundra and tundra dilution zones.


2019 ◽  
Vol 96 (8) ◽  
pp. 766-769 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inessa V. Averyanova ◽  
S. I. Vdovenko ◽  
A. L. Maksimov

Natural and climatic conditions of the environment of Northeast Russia and particularly Magadan region are the very factor mostly influencing adaptive responses by individuals inhabiting the region. Compensatory and adaptive responses in indigenes and newcomers of the region can be assumed to have their specific features. In 2009 there was executed the examination of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and gas exchange in 392 cases aged of 17-19 years, including Europeans (Caucasians) born in the North in the 1st-2nd generation and indigenes. The methodologically similar study was carried out in 2014 in 265 persons, referred to the same cohorts of North-born Caucasians and Indigenes from the Magadan region. The results of the study executed in 2009 testified to a small number of physiological parameters that were reliably different in Caucasians vs. Indigene subjects. In 2014 no difference was found between the two examined cohorts throughout the observed parameters. The revealed changes in gas exchange, external respiration and cardiovascular systems demonstrated by modern young Indigenes of Northeast Russia testified to the fall in the effectiveness of their breathing. All that makes them farther from the classic “polar metabolic type” and their morphofunctional status becomes closer to European male subjects of Northeast Russia. Thus, we can observe a clear tendency towards “convergence in programs” of the adaptive changes between populations of the North residents undergoing similar natural, environmental and social factors.


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