Karnataka State Research Articles

Assessing the Effectiveness of the Plastic Ban in the City of Bangalore in Addressing the Market Failure Associated with It

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Solid Waste Management (BBMP-SWM) Bye-laws, 2019 was passed by the BBMP in 2019 to ensure proper waste management in the city alongside new rules on the consumption of plastic. According to the Karnataka state plastic board, every citizen, on an average, consumes 16kgs of plastic every month. The extended essay aims towards answering the question “To what extent has the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Solid Waste Management (BBMP-SWM) Bye-laws, 2019 helped in reducing the negative externalities caused by the overconsumption of single-use plastic.” This study will be examining the effects of this law on the production and consumption of single-use plastics. Through this policy, the BBMP aims to revise the 2016 Karnataka State plastic Ban and enforce it in a stricter manner. This topic is significant as an estimated 20% of the 4000-tonne waste produced by the city consists of plastic. Plastics are not biodegradable, which increases pollution. Through this ban, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike aims to reduce the external cost caused by reducing plastic consumption. Even if the plastic is marked as “recyclable” over 90% of the plastic is never actually recycled. India has been generating over 3.5 million tonnes of plastic every year. In 2017, plastic resulted in over 2.3 million premature deaths in India because of this, India made it onto the top 10 list along with China and The United States. Hence, the topic is of significant investigation. Over the years, there have been a lot of plastic bans implemented by the government. The most recent one is the Central plastic ban of 2021. Single use plastic does not biodegrade, it breaks down into smaller microplastics which continue polluting the environment.

An Economic Analysis of Credit Utilization Pattern and Credit Gap for Grape Cultivation and Value Addition (Raisin Making) in Vijayapura District of Karnataka, India

Credit is an important factor triggering agricultural growth when it is utilized properly. The present study aims to analyze the credit utilization pattern and credit gap for grape cultivation and value addition (raisin making) in Vijayapura district, which is having the highest area under grape cultivation in Karnataka state. As the grape requires high maintenance expenses, its economic analysis is of great importance in its present status. The primary data was collected from 90 respondent grape farmers in the study area. The finding of the study revealed that the sample farmers borrowed an average of ₹ 1,46,883 from all the institutional sources for grape cultivation, and the utilization of borrowed institutional credit for grape production was ₹ 1,09,376 (74.5%), and ₹ 37,507 (25.5%) of borrowed institutional credit was diverted for raisin production. For raisin making the sample farmers borrowed a total of ₹ 1,67,372 in credit from non-institutional sources in the study area. ₹ 138,440 (82.72%) of borrowed non-institutional credit was utilized for raisin making and ₹ 28,932 (17.28%) of borrowed credit was diverted other purposes by the sample farmers. The total credit gap was found to be 58.49, 59.97, and 59.12 per cent from commercial banks, regional rural banks, and cooperative bank/societies respectively. The findings also indicated that the sample farmers used the borrowed institutional and non-institutional credit more effectively to increase their revenue, diverting it less often for other uses. Many farmers do not receive institutional credit in an adequate quantity, at the appropriate time, or at a reasonable cost. Therefore, there is a need to focus on existing access and the quantum of formal credit used for agricultural purposes by different farmers in rural areas of Vijayapura district.

Ambient gamma radiation level around Kaveri river basin, Karnataka state, India.

Studies on ambient gamma radiation in indoor and outdoor environment and their effect on human health have created interest among the researchers across the world. The present study represents the results of indoor and outdoor ambient gamma dose rates around the Kaveri river basin from Talakaveri (Madikeri district) to Mekedatu (Ramanagara district) by using portable Environmental Radiation Dosemeter. The annual effective dose in the present study area varies between 0.14mSv.y-1 and 0.58mSv.y-1 with an average value of 0.30mSv.y-1 for indoor radiation. The outdoor annual effective dose ranged between 0.01mSv.y-1 and 0.14mSv.y-1 with an average value of 0.06mSv.y-1. The total annual effective dose varies from 0.17 to 0.72mSv.y-1 with an average value of 0.36mSv.y-1. The calculated values of indoor and outdoor annual effective dose in the study area (are found to be lower than the world average values (1mSv.y-1 and 0.48mSv.y-1).

Natural radioactivity and radiological hazards assessment in soil samples of Hassan district, Karnataka State, India

Natural radioactivity and radiological hazards assessment in soil samples of Hassan district, Karnataka State, India

KARNATAKA STARTUP ECOSYSTEM:A CONCEPTUAL STUDY

Karnataka, a southern state in India, has emerged as a prominent hub for startups, driven by a vibrant ecosystem that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship. This article explores the components, growth, lifecycle, funding, and the role of Karnataka's state startup policy in shaping the entrepreneurial landscape. A comprehensive literature review, research methodology, objectives, and scope are provided to present a thorough understanding of the startup ecosystem in Karnataka.

Assessment of the spatial distribution and identification of potential risk areas for the sterility mosaic disease of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Huth) in Southern India

Sterility mosaic disease (SMD) is an emerging biotic risk to the cultivation of pigeonpea throughout the Indian subcontinent. The prevalence and distribution of SMD documented from diverse agro-climatic zones are still poorly known. In this investigation, we determined the spatial distribution of SMD covering major pigeonpea-growing states of Southern India namely, Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh by considering 2 years of exploratory survey data. Geospatial approaches were employed to determine the SMD incidence levels at unvisited locations using neighboring observations. The results indicated enormous variability in disease incidence ranging from 0 to 82.64% and 0 to 36.84%, respectively, in Kharif 2021–22 and 2022–23 in pigeonpea-growing states. Spatial autocorrelation analysis and Ripley’s K function established the presence of average clustering over sampling locations. Two main clusters were identified via agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis. From the Local Moran’s I spatial autocorrelation (LISA) analysis, most of the districts were clustered together at (I<0). From the p-values, Bidar and Krishnagiri districts recorded the highest spatial dependence, while the remaining districts recorded medium spatial dependence (p < 0.05). Based on kriging, the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, Medak and Ranga Reddy districts of Telangana, Bijapur district of Karnataka, and Latur district in Maharashtra states were found to be vulnerable to SMD occurrence in the future. The Matern and Spherical models were shown to be the best of the several semivariogram experimental models tested for spatial patterns of SMD incidence, from which OK and IK maps were created. Based on the interpolation results, the potential SMD hotspots/risk areas were most prominent in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu states. These identified hotspots for SMD revealed high levels of disease probability rates (>25%) above the threshold level and must be closely monitored to restrict and minimize further disease spread across the studied areas in Southern India. In pigeonpea, this is the first study in India that attempted to understand the spatial pattern of SMD using geostatistical methodologies. The results of the study will aid in the design and dissemination of specific management practices and curb the further spread of SMD.

LULC change detection analysis of Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka state, India using CNN-based deep learning method

The change detection analysis of land use land cover (LULC) is an important task in several fields and applications such as environmental monitoring, urban planning, disaster management, and climate change studies. This study focuses on the use of remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) to identify the changes in Chamarajanagar district, which is located in Karnataka state, South India. This paper mainly focuses on the classification and change detection analysis of LULC in 2011 and 2021 using linear imaging self-scanning sensor-III (LISS-III) satellite images. Traditional methods for LULC classification involve manual interpretation of satellite images, which provides lower accuracy. Therefore, this paper proposed the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)-based deep learning classification method for LULC classification. The main objective of the research work is to perform an accurate change detection of the Chamarajanagar district using the classified maps of the years 2011 and 2021. The proposed classification method is outperformed, with a classification accuracy of 95.27 % and 94.57 % for LISS-III satellite imagery of the years 2011 and 2021 respectively. Further, change detection analysis has been carried out using classified maps and results show a decline of 3.23 sq. km, 22.7 sq. km, and 3.83 sq. km in the areas covered by vegetation, agricultural land, and forest area, respectively. In other classes, such as built-up, water bodies, and barren land, an increase in land cover was observed by 5.59 sq. km, 1.99 sq. km, and 20.92 sq. km, respectively.

Assessment of Knowledge, Practice, and Attitude about Silver Diamine Fluoride among Postgraduate Students in Pediatric Dentistry in Karnataka

Abstract Background: Dental caries occurs as a result of phasic demineralization and remineralization of dental hard tissues. In recent years, minimal invasive dentistry (MID) has replaced conventional treatment procedures. As part of MID, silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is being used to manage dental caries. However, little research has explored how informed dental postgraduates are about SDF. Aim: To determine the knowledge, practice, and attitude of dental postgraduate students regarding SDF. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire containing a total of 25 questions was drafted and distributed through Google Forms to postgraduates studying in the Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry within the state of Karnataka. The Chi-square (χ2) test was used to statistically analyze the obtained data. Results: A total of 165 responses were obtained. Among the participants, 94.5% reported that they were aware of SDF. However, majority of the respondents were not able to correctly answer the questions assessing knowledge. Knowledge was higher among 3rd year followed by 2nd and 1st years (P ≤ 0.001). Only 59.4% of the respondents stated that they use SDF in their patients. However, nearly all respondents stated that this survey encouraged them to improve their understanding of SDF. Conclusion: Awareness about SDF among postgraduates treating pediatric patients is quite high. Knowledge with regard to few aspects of SDF use is lacking. The attitude among the participants was positive.

Energy Input-Output Analysis for Onion Production in Major Onion Growing Areas of Karnataka State

Energy Input-Output Analysis for Onion Production in Major Onion Growing Areas of Karnataka State

FACTORS INFLUENCING DOUBLING FARMERS' INCOME: A CASE STUDY APPROAC

The study was conducted in Karnataka State with a purposive sample of 100 farmers. An exploratory research design with a case study approach was adopted and used to document cases on progressive farmers to determine the variables influencing the farmers income. The respondents were personally investigated, and their cases have been documented. Data analysis was done by using logistic regression model. Totally 47 factors contributing to doubling farmers' income have been identified from all the progressive farmers' cases using thematic analysis. Logistic regression analysis revealed that factors such as hard work, achievement motivation and getting daily income contribute to a larger extent towards doubling farmers' income, hence should judiciously be addressed while planning the development of programs for the farmers.

In-vitro Study on Anthelmintic and Insecticidal Activity of Macrolichens Collected from South Karnataka

In the present study, lichen samples were collected from the southern Karnataka state and were used for in-vitro anthelmintic and insecticidal activity. The three lichen samples Parmotrema tinctorum (Nyl.) Hale, Roccella montagnei Bèl. Emend. Awas, Everniastrum cirrhatum (Fr.) Hale was subjected to the extraction with solvents. The prepared extracts from the lichen species were evaluated for anthelmintic activity against Pheretima posthuma. 100% mortality was obtained from all the samples and it was compared with the reference drug albendazole for positive control. P. tinctorum methanolic extract showed the fastest result but on the other side, the slowest result was observed in the hexane extract. The insecticidal activity of the crude extracts of the lichens was tested against two insects Macrosiphum rosae (L.) and Sitophilus oryzae (L.). There was a 100% mortality rate observed in R. montagnei and E. cirrhatum methanolic extracts against M. rosae. In S. oryzae the methanolic extracts of P. tinctorum and E. cirrhatum with 75 and 50% mortality rates at 42 and 48 hours was observed. The promising results of lichen extracts towards insecticidal and anthelmintic activity were found to be a potential candidate for drug discovery and development against biopesticides.

Prevalence of Refractive Errors Among Children at a Tertiary Care Center in Karnataka: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Refractive errors (REs) are the major cause of blindness and impaired vision with considerable morbidity. Finding the prevalence with early detection of REs with appropriate corrective measures can bring down eye morbidity in children. The aim of the study was to find the prevalence of REs among children attending Raichur Institute of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital in Karnataka State of South India. This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 420 study subjects. Examination of the eyes for REs was carried out using a refractometer. The REs were noted in myopia < -0.5 dioptres (D), hypermetropia > + 0.5 D, and astigmatism > 0.5 cylinder D. The data were statistically subjected to a statistics test. Categorical measurement was presented as frequency (percentage). The association between the parameters was done using the chi-square test. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Out of 420 examined, REs were present among 147 (35%) study subjects, and myopia 67 (16%) was the highest prevalent in comparison to hypermetropia 42 (10%) and astigmatism 38 (9%). The male subjects had 77 (34.4%) REs, and the female subjects had 70 (35.7%) REs. In both genders, myopia was the highest prevalent, followed by hypermetropia and astigmatism. The prevalence of REs among children is alarming, and it should be corrected at an early age to prevent further complications in adulthood. Ophthalmologists should generate regional data about the prevalence of REs, create awareness about the prevention of REs among the risk population, and utilize government-sponsored blind eradication programs for comprehensive eye care in the larger interest of the affected population and risk population.

Trends in Selected Heart Diseases Among Below Poverty Line Population From Karnataka State, South India

Trends in Selected Heart Diseases Among Below Poverty Line Population From Karnataka State, South India

Orthodontic Fixed Retention-Methods and Materials: A Questionnaire Study among Karnataka Practitioners

"This study aimed to examine the retention protocols and materials for fixed retainers utilized by orthodontic clinicians in Karnataka state, India. The survey was conducted between January 2023 and April 2023, with a questionnaire designed using Google Forms. After validation, the questionnaire was distributed to a verified active orthodontists' group consisting of 161 members. Responses to individual questions were presented as percentages and tabulated. A chi-squared test of proportion was employed to compare the proportions of clinicians using retainers with different characteristics and indicating the superiority of specific clinical solutions. Braided round steel wire was identified as the most reliable, while fiber-reinforced composite was predominantly utilized in patients with periodontal issues. The methodology adopted by orthodontic practitioners in Karnataka state involved double long-term retentions with regular follow-ups. Most clinicians expressed confidence in maintaining treatment results, though they acknowledged the significance of patient cooperation."

Editorial Address &amp; Advisory Board

The first issue of volume five of the Journal of the Council for Research on Religion (JCREOR) is a call by the editors to examine and understand social cohesions and conflicts, with particular interest in what role religion or religious traditions play within communities of diverse peoples. We sought first to understand how tension points arise within communities, and second, to examine the role played by religion in creating or appeasing these tension points. This issue is thus dedicated to probing, not only the tensions that arise within religiously diverse communities but the solutions that are developed in response to criticism or conflict. The studies in this issue address: the fractures that have been created in the Orthodox world by the Russian Orthodox Church’s support for the ongoing war in Ukraine; the tensions between liberal and traditional standpoints when discussing the Vedāntic tradition and the philosophy of the Upanishads; the tension and cohesion created by how different Turkish faith communities have been negotiating their role in the preservation of Ottoman architectural heritage; and, finally, how attempts at creating social cohesion in the Southern state of Karnataka have led to tensions between Muslim and Hindu communities.

Spatio-temporal variation and relationship between agricultural efficiency and irrigation intensity in a semi-arid region of India

A surging population in Karnataka State, a semi-arid region in India, poses a threat to both food security and livelihood sustainability, necessitating a concentrated effort to bolster agricultural efficiency and achieve United Naton’s Sustainable Development Goal 2 (zero hunger). Therefore, in order to address the pressing issue of food scarcity in Karnataka, this study meticulously examined the spatio-temporal variation of agricultural efficiency and irrigation intensity in Karnataka, uncovering its significant dependence of agricultural efficiency on irrigation intensity. Specifically, this study used a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to ascertain significant differences in the means of agricultural efficiency and irrigation intensity during 2004–2005 and 2018–2019. This study showed that the maximum improvement in agricultural efficiency index was recorded in Belgaum (40.24), Gulbarga (24.77), and Yadgir districts (22.92) between 2004–2005 and 2018–2019, which indicated the progressing trend and better scope for agriculture extension. On the contrary, some districts expressed threat (a decline of above 20.00 of agricultural efficiency index) and needed special care for the improvement of agricultural efficiency in four northern districts (Bagalkot, Bidar, Raichur, and Bijapur), three southern districts (Chitradurga, Chikballapur and Hassan), and two southern districts (Koppal and Gadag) in Karnataka. During 2004–2005, irrigation intensity varied from 3.19% to 56.39%, with the lowest irrigation intensity in Kodagu District and the highest irrigation intensity in Shimoga District. During 2018–2019, irrigation intensity changed from 0.77% to 72.77%, with the lowest irrigation intensity in Kodagu District and the highest in Dakshin Kannad District. Moreover, the research scrutinized the complex relationship between agricultural efficiency and irrigation intensity, with the correlation coefficient increased from 0.162 during 2004–2005 to 0.255 during 2018–2019. It implies that in both periods, a low positive correlation existed between these two variables. Over time, several factors (high-yield seeds and chemical fertilizers) other than irrigation intensity gradually became essential for agricultural efficiency. This research offers a wealth of valuable insights for regional planners and policy-makers contending with comparable challenges in various regions of India and other developing countries.

Insights into the population dynamics of phytophthora species associated with arecanut fruit rot disease

Phytophthora, a ubiquitous filamentous oomycete, causes huge yield losses and is fatal to arecanut palms in case of severe infection. From 2014 onwards, a severe fruit rot epidemic has been recorded during the South-West monsoon season in major arecanut-growing states of South India. We have assessed the diversity and delineated the population structure of Phytophthora isolates infecting arecanut in India using a combination of morphological traits, multi-gene profiling, haplotype analysis, and pathogenicity. Ninety-eight Phytophthora isolates were obtained from infected samples collected from disease-endemic regions of Karnataka, Kerala, and Goa states in southern India from 2014 to 2019. Morphological traits coupled with phylogenetic analysis using the loci ITS, β-tub, TEF-1α, and Cox-II identified the A2 mating type of P. meadii as the predominant species together with two isolates of homothallic P. heveae. Linkage disequilibrium analysis revealed significant diversity in the form of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the concatenated sequence dataset. Population structure analysis using 590 SNPs demonstrated the existence of four population groups (sub-populations at K = 4 and K = 2) and significant diversity in the geo-distant Phytophthora populations. In summary, 22 haplotypes were identified from the representative 40 isolates with higher haplotype diversity of 1.23 and relatively varying haplotype frequency. Pathogenicity assays confirmed that both the species of Phytophthora were pathogenic to arecanut, while P. meadii coastal region isolates exhibited more virulence compared to others.

Lung cancer in females from nonsmoker families in India: Observations and inferences in 5 years.

e20610 Background: Incidence in lung cancer in last two decades has been changing drastically in terms of gender, age, smoking behaviour of patients, stage at presentation, histopathology, genetic abnormalities, operability at presentation and survival. More perplexing is the increase in its occurrence in females from non smoker families, mitigating the sole importance of the traditional risk factors of tobacco and smoking in the recent times. This highlights the need to investigate other risk factors like radon exposure from indoor pollution where females stay most of the time, exposure to arsenic and other chemicals in daily life, particle pollution, physical inactivity and inflammatory diseases of airways. Methods: It was an observational study of patients who were diagnosed and treated at a high volume cancer centre in Karnataka state of India. 89 never smoker female patients under 50 years of age from non smoker families with no obvious exposure to second hand or third hand smoke were enrolled from October, 2018 to June, 2023. It was a longitudinal prospective cohort study where the demographic data, symptoms with duration, histopathology including genetic abnormalities, treatment details and survival were noted. Results: 89 never smoker females from non smoker families with ages ranging from 36 to 50 years had a median age of 46 years. About 70% of the ladies were from houses closely associated with farm in past or present. 55% of them had overweight and obese body habitus. Most common presenting symptom was dry cough with median duration of about 3 months in about 89%. Other symptoms were pleuritic chest pain(39%), breathlessness (19%), generalized body ache(9%) and jaundice(2%). Stage of disease was IV(69%), IIIC(12.3%), IIIB(11.2%), IIIA(5.6%) and II in just one patient. Most common sites of metastasis were contralateral lung(45%), bone(20%), liver(20%), adrenal glands(10%) and brain (15%). Most common histopathology was adenocarcinoma(87.6%), adenosquamous carcinoma(7.8%), squamous cell carcinoma(3.3%), large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma in just one patient. EGFR was mutated in 56(62.9%) with deletion 19( 33%) and L858R(21%) being the most common abnormalities. ALK rearrangements and ROS1 fusion were seen in about 9(3.3%) and 3(3.3%) patients respectively. Surgery was done in only 3 patients and chemoradiation after neoadjuvant chemotherapy was given in 8(8.9%) patients. Median overall survival was about 42 months in stage IV patients. Conclusions: Changing demographic profile of lung cancer warrants more research into the other causes of lung cancer. More stage IV disease highlights the emphasis on prevention and screening for the disease.

A study on awareness and perception about perinatal death auditing among health care workers in two districts of Karnataka State, India

ABSTRACT Background: To start perinatal death auditing, doctors should have good knowledge about it. Objectives: To know the awareness and perceptions of doctors about different aspects of perinatal death auditing like 1) different types of contributors; 2) high-risk approach; 3) consequences; 4) documentary requirements; and 5) existing system of mortality meeting/child death reviews. Methodology: The perinatal death auditing project was implemented in two districts of Karnataka state. As a part of the pre-intervention survey, awareness and perceptions of doctors and a few health care administrators were explored. They were requested to participate in the study. Those who consented were approached in their hospitals and interviewed. Trained medical social workers conducted the interviews. Awareness was scored from 0 to 3 with 0 being no knowledge and 3 being good knowledge. Perceptions were scored from 0 to 3 with 0 being no negative perceptions and 3 being fear of legal consequences. The responses were documented, scored, and described. Results: Though 22 doctors were eligible, only 16 consented to participate in the study. Knowledge of doctors about different contributors was inadequate. They were apprehensive about legal consequences. They knew that documentation could protect them and be useful in a court of law. They were not clear about the conduct of mortality meeting/existing system of child death reviews. Conclusion: Knowledge was inadequate. They were apprehensive about legal consequences. Training of doctors and allaying apprehensions are required for starting perinatal death auditing.

Assessment of diversity, sustainable yield index, value index and system economic efficiency of organic and conventional farmers of Karnataka state, India

Assessment of diversity, sustainable yield index, value index and system economic efficiency of organic and conventional farmers of Karnataka state, India