Kumaon Region Research Articles

THE IMPACT OF CAREER OPPORTUNITIES ON EMPLOYEE RETENTION IN HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF GARHWAL AND KUMAUN REGION OF UTTARAKHAND

Hospitality industry is one of the most dynamic industry. Guests enjoy their stay in hotels just because of high level of energy among its employee. This industry personnel are also known as most disciplined ones with reference to other sectors. The employee in hotels and other accommodation sectors are working in a set hierarchial structure of the organization. In every department, the career opportunity for working employees is their desired goal. They want to see working themselves on higher level on their every present situation. Apart from this, employees keep themselves motivated from other multiple reasons. If they don’t find in the state of lacking in terms of motivation and career opportunity in their job, they start thinking to shift from one job to another. The hospitality industry in Uttarakhand is also facing challenges regarding employee retention. Retaining the competent employee in organization is considered as a significant task for the managers. Employees leave their organization due to multiple reasons, which they generally don’t want to discuss with their managers. Sometime, even they don’t know why they intend to change their organization. Frequency of changing the job and shifting from one organization to other is a known tendency among young employee. In this research paper, the emphasis has been done on the various factors associated with employees’ attrition related to motivation and career opportunities in hospitality industry of Uttarakhand. A comparative study has been done in Garhwal and Kumaon region of the state to know about the HR strategies adopted by hospitality industry in Uttarakhand regarding factors related to motivation and career opportunities. For this study, the hotels in both of regions have been identified for primary data collection and these hotels are ranging from three-star category and above. A set pattern of questionnaire as a research tool has been developed to assemble the data. Then the data-analysis has been done to find the conclusion that how motivation and career opportunities in hospitality industry is playing the significant role.

Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettle): A Pharmacologically Important Medicinal Plant Species of Himalayan Region

Urtica dioica (Stinging nettle) belonging to the family Urticaceae is a medicinal plantfound in the Himalayas region from Kashmir to Kumaon region (Uttarakhand.). In Himalayan region, this plant is used for the daily purpose as food as well as to serve animals. It contains various phytochemicals like phenolic acid, coumarins, flavanols, bioflavonoids, Flavan-3-ols etc which is used to cure many diseases like arthritis, constipation, Pulmonary, Liver, Intestine, Kidney, Diabetes, Fungal infections, anti-inflammatory, internal injury and wounds. It also has hepatoprotective activity, anti‑hyperlipidemic activity, diuretic activity, antimicrobial activity, anticancer activity. Researchers have reported about 30 species with 47 genera and 1,300 species worldwide used to treat different diseases. Medicinal plants have proved to be the “backbone” of traditional medical system which signifies that developing countries depend upon medicinal plants for therapeutic use.

Phneological Studies on Trewia Nudiflora

Trewia nudiflora Linn belongs to plant genus of the spurge family Euphorbiaceae, sub-family Acalyphoideae and is one of the important medicinal plants in Indian systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Siddha, etc. It has numerous phytochemical and pharmacological significance. The whole plant is alternative, stomachic and efficacious in swellings. The root decoction is beneficial in flatulence, stomachic, applied locally in form of poultice for the cure of gout rheumatism. Trewia nudiflora is distributed from Kumaon (Himalaya) region of Garwhal up to eastward to Assam and fruits were collected from Dehradun. Trewia nudiflora plants are unisexual. The phenological observations made showed that in the male and female plants from the month March to July.

Spatial variability studies of attenuation characteristics of Qα and Qβ in Kumaon and Garhwal region of NW Himalaya

The present work explores the attenuation characteristics of Garhwal and Kumaon regions of northwest Himalaya, India. A comparative study of P- and S-wave quality factors (Qα and Qβ) is used to appreciate the different attenuation characteristics of these two regions. The strong motion data of 105 local earthquakes recorded in Garhwal and Kumaon region are considered for the analysis. The coda normalization method is implemented to compute Qα and Qβ at each recording site of form Q(f) = Qofn. The regional relationship obtained by using site-specific quality factor relations is Qα(f) = (55 ± 3)f(0.90±0.06), Qβ(f) = (74 ± 5)f(0.87±0.08) for Garhwal region and Qα(f) = (34 ± 1)f(0.94±0.03), Qβ(f) = (58 ± 2)f(0.90±0.02) for Kumaon region, which clearly suggest the existence of spatial variation of attenuation properties in these two regions. The Kumaon region has low Qα and Qβ as compared to Garhwal, which means Kumaon region has high rate of attenuation than Garhwal region, as Q is inversely proportional to the attenuation. Hence, based on obtained attenuation properties it is proposed that Garhwal region has high seismic hazard potential zone as compared to its adjacent Kumaon region. The high value of Qβ/Qα (˃ 1) obtained in the present work indicates the presence of fluid or partially saturated rocks in the earth crust for both Garhwal and Kumaon regions. The variable value of ratio (Qβ/Qα) obtained for Garhwal and Kumaon region specifies the different fluid saturations or fluid types existing for both the regions, and it may be the possible reason of distinct attenuation properties of these two regions.

Role of DMARD Naïve Period in the Development of Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a symmetric poly-arthritis predominantly affecting the small synovial joints, although any synovial joint can be involved. The underlying cause is not known; however, predilection for the disease is impacted by genetic and environmental factors. Several factors predict disease severity in RA including development of erosions, female sex and duration of disease. This study evaluates the role of disease duration, early initiation of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and auto-antibodies like rheumatoid factor in predicting erosive disease in Indian patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A 2-year hospital-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Medicine in a tertiary care centre in Kumaon region of Uttarakhand in northern India. 260 patients diagnosed with RA on the basis of 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria were included. A total of 135 patients had erosive disease, with DMARD naive median period of 3years compared to 125 patients with non-erosive disease, with DMARD naive median period of 2years. On the basis of this data and after evaluation for radiographic erosions, it was found that a longer DMARD naive period predicts higher odds of developing erosive disease. Early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and initiation of DMARDs is crucial in increasing quality of life and preventing severe disease with deformities, erosive changes and extra-articular manifestations.

Influence of rootstocks on white root rot (Dematophora necatrix) resistance in apple (Malus baccata)

An experiment was conducted under polyhouse and field conditions during 2013, 2014 and 2015 to evaluate the level of resistance of less known apple rootstock, i.e. Paron (Malus baccata var. himalaica) and some popular rootstocks of the region (MM 106, MM 111, M 9 and Srinagar crab) against white root rot disease. All the test rootstocks were grafted with CITH Lodh Apple-1 before their use in field conditions. Paron showed high resistance against D. necatrix by exhibiting least mortality (15.33%) at highest test dose (10 g/kg soil) of inoculum in pot culture under polyhouse, whereas other test rootstocks showed 100 percent mortality at this dose of inoculum. In the field, Paron showed no wilting symptoms on scion cultivar even after 60 days of inoculation, it showed least bronzing and inward cupping of leaves (3.25%), defoliation (3.50%), necrosis on bark (21 mm), wood (17 mm) and vascular tissues (23 mm). It was rated as resistant against D. necatrix as compared to other test rootstocks on the basis of significantly lowest disease severity (4.35%) and least effect of test pathogen inoculation on its above and below ground parts. Srinagar crab was rated as highly susceptible in comparison as, it exhibited significantly highest disease severity (69.80%). From this study, it can be inferred that the rootstock of Paron should be used for shaping production of apple in Kumaon region of Uttarakhand.

Occurrence and association of the Scarce Lilacfork Lethe dura gammiei (Moore, [1892]) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) with Woolly-leaved Oak Quercus lanata Smith, 1819 (Fabaceae) forest in the Kumaon region of the Indian Himalaya

The current findings are the first site specific records of L.d.gammiei Moore,1892 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) from the Kumaon region of the Himalaya and its unique association with Woolly-leaved Oak, Q.lanata Smith, 1819 over there.

Histomorphological study of cervical lesions in a tertiary care Centre of kumaon region: A 5 year retrospective study

Histomorphological study of cervical lesions in a tertiary care Centre of kumaon region: A 5 year retrospective study

Incidence and Microbiology of Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection in Hospitalized Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kumaon Region

Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is a major preventable cause of in-hospital morbidity and urinary catheterization is the most common risk factor of UTI. In this tertiary care institute, we have studied the incidence, microbiology, and the antibiotic sensitivity pattern in catheterized patients. All hospitalized patients in the General Surgery Department of any age group or sex undergoing catheterization (>48 hours) were studied. 1724 catheterized patients have analyzed during the study phase and out of which 246 patients had culture-positive UTI (incidence rate-14.26%). The most common predisposing factor identified as obstructive uropathy (24.8%) followed by malnourishment, other chronic illnesses, and previous history of surgeries. Most common organism E.coli (52%) was isolated and sensitive antibiotic was fosfomycin (92.7%).

Species diversity of white grubs in terai area of Udham Singh Nagar, Kumaon region

White grubs (Scarabaeidae) are a diverse group of insects. Their diversity was explored from March to September 2018 at Pantnagar Terai region of Kumaon, Uttarakhand. The results revealed 23 species under 12 genera and four subfamilies viz., Melolonthinae, Rutelinae, Dynastinae and Cetoniinae. The diversity indices of species abundance and richness worked out revealed the excellent diversity at the Horticulture Research Center (HRC) (D= 0.914, S=3.26) followed by Livestock Research Center (LRC) (D=0.913, S=3.245) and Crop Research Center (CRC) (D=0.887, S=3.138). Species evenness was observed to be maximum at LRC (E=0.863) as compared to HRC (E=0.859) and CRC (E=0.798). The Bray-Curtis distance showed 79.7 and 80.0 similarity of CRC with HRC and LRC, respectively, while HRC (0.918) showed similarities with LRC. Diversity profiling curve proved that there was unique similarity in species collected from HRC and LRC in comparison to CRC.

Prevalence of Diabetes and Associated Conditions in Women Coming for Delivery in a Tertiary Care Centre of Kumaon Region of Uttarakhand

Prevalence of Diabetes and Associated Conditions in Women Coming for Delivery in a Tertiary Care Centre of Kumaon Region of Uttarakhand

Cytological evaluation of enlarged peripheral lymph nodes: An institutional experience from kumaon region of Uttarakhand

Introduction: Peripheral lymphadenopathy is a common clinical entity. It is significant as the underlying cause could range from a simple infection to a malignant lesion which could be either primary or metastatic. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is the first line of investigation usually done to diagnose enlarged lymph nodes. Materials and Methods: This retroprospective study was done in the Department of Pathology, Government Medical College, Haldwani, from January 2008 to December 2018. Relevant details of the patients were taken from the records. The cytological diagnosis and site were noted and divided into major diagnostic categories with respect to age group, sex, and site. Results: A total of 16,985 cases were studied. About 42% showed reactive morphology, 31.77% were tubercular, 23.65% metastatic lesions, 2.49% were hematological malignancies, and only 0.08% were parasitic. The cervical lymph node was the most common site aspirated and it was also the most common site for metastasis (60.45%). Among the metastatic lesions, squamous cell carcinoma accounted for maximum cases (69.10%). Conclusion: FNAC is a simple procedure for investigating enlarged peripheral lymph nodes. The underlying cause may vary depending on the sociodemographic profile of the patients. It is a safe and effective procedure for giving a quick and reliable diagnosis in peripheral lymphadenopathy, thereby avoiding unnecessary excision biopsy.

Histomorphological Study of Leprosy with Clinical Correlation in Kumaon Region

Background: Leprosy is a leading cause of permanent physical disability. Approx 60% of global burden of leprosy is represented by India. Histopathological examination is still considered gold standard for accurate categorization of leprosy so that timely treatment can be started.
 Objectives: To categorize and correlate types of leprosy clinically and histomorphologically in Kumaon region.
 Methods: The present cross-sectional study of 62 cases was conducted in the Department of Pathology & Skin and V.D in a tertiary care centre of Kumaon region from August 2016 to April 2018. The cases were clinically examined and categorized according to Ridley-Jopling classification. Skin Biopsy and Slit-Skin Smear (SSS) were taken for accurate histomorphogical categorization of leprosy and assessment of bacterial index, followed by clinico-histomorphological correlation. Statistical analysis was done in term of chi-square test. Kappa test was used as agreement test for clinical versus histological classification of different type of leprosy.
 Results: A total of 62 clinically diagnosed leprosy cases evaluated histopathologically. Clinically, lepromatous leprosy (LL) was the most common type of leprosy (38.70%), followed by borderline tuberculoid (30.64%). On histopathological examination, indeterminate leprosy (IL) (21 cases; 33.90%) was the most common followed by lepromatous leprosy (16 cases; 25.80%). Overall clinico-histopathological correlation was seen in 36 cases (58. 06%) with maximum correlation seen in indeterminate leprosy (100%) and tuberculoid leprosy (TT) (100%). Conclusion: This study concludes that correlation of clinical and histopathological features along with bacterial index is more useful for accurate typing of leprosy than considering any of the single parameter alone so that early and appropriate treatment could be started.

English

English

Chromatographic Fingerprinting of Artemisia vulgaris L. Grown in Various Locations of Uttarakhand Himalaya, India

The present study aims to investigate the chromatographic fingerprinting of the essential oils of Artemisia vulgaris L. growing wild in Kumaon and Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India. The aerial parts were harvested in full flowering time from twenty two locations at the altitudes between 627-2793 m. The essential oils from aerial parts were isolated by hydro-distillation through a Clevenger apparatus and analysed by GC and GC/MS for the identification of their chemical composition. Chromatographic analysis has shown that all the essential oils of A. vulgaris were dominated by varied composition and chrysanthenone (0.1-26.6 %), vulgarole (0.1-20.6 %), artemisia ketone (0.01-19.8 %), α-thujone (0.01-19.0 %), 1,8-cineole (1.6-13.5 %), β-thujone (0.2-13.2 %), caryophyllene oxide (1.4-11.2 %) and camphor (0.9-11.1 %). Hierarchical cluster and principal component analysis (PCA) were applied to study the chemical variability among populations which showed three major groups. Group-1 having A17, A38, A42, A46 and A56 populations, was possessed vulgarole (7.6-20.6 %) in higher amount followed by γ-eudesmol (4.9-9.2 %), camphor (1.4-10.0 %), 1,8-cineole (1.6-8.9 %) and camphene (1.3-7.5 %). In group 2 (A52, A60), artemisia ketone was found in major portions (18.9-19.8 %) followed by 1,8-cineole (2.6-13.5 %) and artemisia alcohol (1.8-8.6 %), while group 3 (A6, A9, A13, A33, A44, A48, A51, A58, A61, A65, A66, A69, A71, A74, and A75 populations) contained chrysanthenone (1.9-26.6 %) as the marker compound followed by α-thujone (0.03-19.0 %) and β-thujone (2.2-13.2 %). The results proved that various chemical groups or chemotypes of A. vulgaris are available in Uttarakhand region, India.

Attitude of Farm Women towards Agriculture Extension Services: A Study in Kumaon Region of Uttarakhand

Attitude of Farm Women towards Agriculture Extension Services: A Study in Kumaon Region of Uttarakhand

Extension Needs of Vegetable Growers: A Study in Kumaon Region of Uttarakhand

Information needs to be expressed by farmers have often been understood as extension needs. However, the mandate of extension services is more than just providing information about agri-inputs and its supply chain. The present study was undertaken to determine the extension needs of vegetable growers. The study sample comprised of 160 vegetable growers spread across four villages in two districts of Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. The data was collected through personal interviews using a pre-tested structured interview schedule. The study findings revealed that a large majority of the vegetable growers expressed high extension needs. Certain attributes of farmers such as age, education, farming experience, information-seeking behaviour, media exposure and income were found to have a significant relationship with the extension needs of vegetable growers. The study findings will help policymakers, technology developers, extension scientists and field extension agents learn about the extension needs of the vegetable growers and help in designing and developing appropriate extension strategies according to their extension need and convenience of the farmers so that they could get the maximum benefit out of it.

Genetic Changes of P53 and Kras in Gallbladder Carcinoma in Kumaon Region of Uttarakhand.

Gallbladder carcinoma is a highly lethal but relatively rare neoplasm of the digestive tract. p53 mutations are one of the most frequent genetic alterations in human cancers and are thought to play a role in pathogenesis of several malignancies. Kras oncogene is responsible for high frequency recognized as an early event in pancreatic and colonic carcinogenesis. We investigated the genetic change of p53, Kras and histopathological changes in gallbladder cancer tissue samples. P53 mutation was seen in the axons 5, 6, 7 and 8 of p53 gene and Kras codon 12 mutations in 25 operative specimens of gallbladder carcinoma. The hispathology observations and polymerase chain reaction-based techniques of these patients were used for point mutations study in p53 and in codon 12 of Kras gene. Mutations of p53 analyzed from exons 5 to 8 using the method of PCR-SSCP were 44%, PCR-RFLP was carried out, and incidence of mutation in codon 12 of Kras was 48% in the adenocarcinoma patients. There was a significant correlation between presence of gall stone, histopathological type, cellular differentiation, grade, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, lymph node invasion, involvement of cystic duct end margin, liver invasion, omental tissue invasion, and T.N.M. staging. Curative surgical resection remains the only effective approach for treatment of GBC. Studies with large number of cases with latest application, next-generation sequencing, DNA microarray, transcriptome analysis, and real-time PCR would help in exploring more targets and better classification of these cancers at genetic level.

Modeling of 2011 IndoNepal Earthquake and Scenario Earthquakes in the Kumaon Region and Comparative Attenuation Study Using PGA Distribution with the Garhwal Region

Kumaon and Garhwal regions are the chief terrains of Uttarakhand Himalaya. The present article simulates the strong ground motion of the 2011 IndoNepal earthquake in the Kumaon region using modified semi empirical technique (MSET). Acceleration records at ten stations in the near field region have been simulated which validates well with actual records and therefore confirms the reliability of MSET. In addition, MSET has been used to simulate strong motion records of future scenario earthquakes (Mw 7.0 and Mw 8.0) in Kumaon region by assuming the earthquake location same as that of 2011 IndoNepal earthquake. Isoacceleration maps are also provided, which reveals more than 400 gal value of PGA at epicentral distances less than 25 kms for an earthquake of magnitude 8.0. The comparison of isoacceleration map of future scenario earthquake (Mw 7.0) in Kumaon region has been done with isoacceleration map of 1991 Uttarkashi earthquake (Mw 6.8) in Garhwal region which suggests distinct attenuation characteristics of these two regions.

Impact of out-migration of men on women's participation in community-based forestry: insights from Van Panchayats of Uttarakhand, India

Increased out-migration from rural areas indicates a significant socio-demographic shift that is increasingly being studied for its impact on community-based forestry institutions. Previous studies in Nepal, Mexico and India have highlighted changes in community-based forestry institutions through increased participation of women following out-migration of men. Therefore, this paper analyses the participation of women in Van Panchayats in a representative sample of six Van Panchayats from Almora district, which is facing one of the highest rates of out-migration in Kumaon region of India. The analysis suggests there is low participation of women in the leadership positions of Van Panchayats despite landmark legislations to increase women's participation. Further, there was no statistically significant difference between participation of women from migrant versus non-migrant households in general assembly meetings of Van Panchayats, suggesting lack of supporting evidence on previous claims about out-migration leading to increased participation of women. Moreover, the position of women in the household (whether household head or not) was significant in explaining their participation in Van Panchayats, and other community-based institutions. The reported findings are relevant to the design of gender inclusive public policy on Van Panchayats as well as to the literature on impact of out-migration on community-based forestry.