Impact of climate change on agriculture in eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar states (India)

Production of crops is greatly influenced by weather phenomena and therefore any change in climate will have major effects on crop yield and productivity. Using NYD analysis for prediction of crop yield on seasonal basis, it has been observed that maximum temperature may cause the reduction in yield of rice in Eastern Uttar Pradesh by 1.0 to 1.1% per ha by 2020. Similarly, minimum temperature may decrease the yield of rice by 1.5 to 1.9% per ha in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. From future scenario of rainfall it was observed that south-west monsoonal rainfall would be the major factor for controlling the yield of rice. The role of maximum temperature for wheat production in Bihar state is more significant as compared to Eastern Uttar Pradesh. The model predicts that wheat yield may decrease by 5-6% in Bihar state due to increase in maximum temperature by the end of 2080 whereas this decrement in Eastern Uttar Pradesh may be 1.5-2.0%.

Barriers and potential solutions for MSMEs in developing economies: Evidence from India

Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have emerged as an accelerator of economic growth with a sizeable contribution in job creation, innovation development, and reduction of regional disparities in most world economies. This paper investigates the influence of external and internal factors affecting the growth of MSMEs in poor-performing Bihar state, India. The objective of the study is to identify the major deep-rooted causes for the inability of MSMEs to compete in developing states and identify potential solutions. The study is based on an empirical database; it tested various dimensions of MSMEs barriers in their potential growth. The target group included MSMEs of Bihar state, India, using a sample of 450 entrepreneurs. The paper adopted a multistage stage sampling and multivariate analysis technique. The results showed that there are twelve major potential barriers, both endogenous and exogenous, faced by MSMEs, such as availability of raw materials, financial issues, labor force challenges, technology inefficiency, power/electricity scarcity, poor marketing, competition, knowledge-related challenges, government and administration problems, infrastructure inefficiency, etc. The findings show that these barriers affect the promotion and growth of MSMEs in developing regions. In future, it is suggested to focus on the implementation of good governance that helps to remove effectively the major barriers of MSMEs in underdeveloped states, such as Bihar, India.

Democratic Decentralizaton and Socio-Political Inclusion of Marginalized Communities: A Study of Musahar Community in Madhubani District of Bihar, India

Democratic decentralization is the process of devolving the state’s roles and resources from the centre to the lower-level elected officials to encourage greater direct participation of people in governance. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1993), which gave the constitutional mandate to the Panchayati Raj Institutions in India, is considered as an opportunity for historically marginalized groups like women, Dalits (Scheduled Caste) and others to actively engage in the grassroot governance as members of local government institutions. Further, gram panchayats have been mandated for formulating their own annual development plan for economic development and social justice in their area. Although in these 25 years, since the enactment of the Act, various measures have been introduced through Panchayati Raj Institutions for increasing people’s participation and effective implementation of developmental programmes, but there is a little or no evidences—either the theoretical or the empirical, which can give a hint on its performance on social and political inclusion of marginalized communities. Against this backdrop, this empirical research paper attempts to explore the linkages between the democratic decentralization and socio-political inclusion of marginalized, by focussing on the Musahar community in Bihar state of India, using primary data collected from the field. The researchers argue that decentralization has ameliorated the social inclusion to some extent but shows very dismal rate of political inclusion of the Musahar Community.

CONCENTRATION OF IRON AND MAGNESIUM IN GROUND WATERAT NORTH BELA OF DARBHANGA DISTRICT (BIHAR)

Excessive levels of Fe, Mg and TDS are the main factors affecting groundwater quality at North Bela, Darbhanga. However, there are few studies on the source and effect of Fe, Mg and TDS concentration in the groundwater. This study takes at North Bela of Darbhanga city in Bihar state as an example, where the source and effect of Fe, Mg and TDS concentration in groundwater in the study area were analyzed. The results show that the source of Fe and Mg in the groundwater of the platformis the iron and Magnesium nodules in the soil layer. The TDS, fluctuation in groundwater levelsarethe important factors affecting the content of Fe and Mg in groundwater.This studyprovides a basis for the rational utilization of groundwater and protection of peoples health in these areaswith high iron, magnesium and TDS concentrations.

TLR4 and TLR9 polymorphism: Probable role in susceptibility among the population of Bihar for Indian visceral leishmaniasis

Genetic variations in the host TLRs genes play an important role in susceptibility and/or resistance to visceral leishmaniasis by altering the host-pathogen interaction. In this study, we investigated the association between polymorphisms of TLR4 (Asp299Gly, Thr399Ile) and TLR-9 (T-1237C), with susceptibility to visceral leishmaniasis. A bi-directional PCR amplification of specific alleles technique was used to characterize the distribution of TLR4 (Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile) and TLR9 (T-1237C) polymorphisms. A total of 60 samples were randomly selected from confirmed visceral leishmaniasis patients and 24 endemic healthy volunteers. The samples were genotyped and allele frequencies were determined. We observed that TLR4 Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile genotypes were more frequent in visceral leishmaniasis patients (10% and 15% respectively) compared to controls (4.2% and 8.3% respectively). However, the differences were not significant in TLR4 Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile alleles and genotypes. In the case of TLR9, we observed the frequency of T1237C genotype was higher in visceral leishmaniasis patients (43.3%) than in healthy controls (33.3%). Statistically significant differences were observed in TLR9 T1237C alleles and genotypes. We concluded that TLR9 T1237C, but not TLR4, gene polymorphisms can be regarded as contributors to visceral leishmaniasis susceptibility among the Indian population of Bihar state.

STUDY OF OCCURRENCE OF THE ANTERIOR TUBERCLE IN THE MARGIN OF THE OCCIPITAL FORAMEN IN BIHAR STATE REGION

Background: The presence of structures that pass along the anterior margin of the occipital foramen interposed between the basilar part of the occipital and the atlas may reduce the circumference of the foramen causing compression of the spinal cord and leading to signs and symptoms of neurological decits due to its asymmetry. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of anterior tubercle at the occipital foramen margin. Out of 50 skulls, 2 (4%) skulls shows occurrence of the anterior tubercle in the margin the occipital foramen/foramen magnum with different antero-posterior and transverse measurement . Tubercle was found in the anterior margin of the occipital foramen in 2 (two) skull, The incidence of occipital tubercle, probably formed by the apical ligament exostosis of the dens, was 04 %. In 1st case the tubercle had a triangular shape, was situated at the midpoint of the anterior margin of the foramen, with its apex facing back toward the occipital foramen and measuring about 4mm in the antero-posterior direction and 3 mm in the transverse. In 2nd case a pyramidal projection was found at the anterior margin of foramen magnum, with the apex directed backwards towards the posterior margin of foramen magnum. The tubercle measured 3.5 mm antero-posteriorly and 2mm transversely. The knowledge of the presence of the occipital tubercle is of great clinical importance, as it may lead in many cases to compression of the neurovascular structures.

Implementation of the Moyo fetal heart rate monitor in district hospitals in Bihar, India: a feasibility study

ObjectivesGlobally, half of all stillbirths occur during birth. Detection of fetal distress with fetal heart rate monitoring (FHRM), followed by appropriate and timely management, might reduce fresh stillbirths and neonatal morbidity. This study aimed to investigate the barriers and facilitators for the implementation of Moyo FHRM use in Bihar state, and secondarily, the feasibility of collecting reliable obstetrical and neonatal outcome data to assess the effect of implementation.SettingCARE Bihar and the hospital management at four district hospitals (DHs) in Bihar state, each with 6500 to 15 000 deliveries a year, agreed to testing the implementation of Moyo FHRM through a process of meetings, training sessions and collecting data. At each hospital, a clinical training expert was trained to train others, while a clinical assessment facilitator collected data.MethodologyObservational notes were taken at all training sessions and meetings. Individual interviews (n=4) were conducted with clinical training experts (CTEs) on training experiences and barriers and facilitators for Moyo FHRM implementation. The CTEs recoded field notes in diaries. Descriptive analyses performed on pre-implementation and post-implementation data (n=521) assessed quality and completeness.ResultsMain barriers to implementation of Moyo FHRM were health system and cultural challenges involving (1) existing practices, (2) insufficient human resources, (3) action delays and (4) cultural and local challenges. Another barrier was insufficient involvement of doctors. Facilitators for implementation were easy use of the Moyo FHRM device and adequate training for staff.Electronic collection of obstetrical data worked well but had substantial missing data.ConclusionHealth system and cultural challenges are a major constraint to Moyo FHRM implementation in low-resource settings. Improvements at all levels of infrastructure, practices and skills will be critical in busy DHs in Bihar. Full-scale implementation needs doctor-led leadership and ownership. Obstetrical data collection for the purpose of scientific analysis needs to be improved.