Northern Region Of India Research Articles

Evaluation of Lp[a] and other independent risk factors for CHD in Asian Indians and their USA counterparts

Conventional risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) do not completely account for the observed increase in premature CHD in people from the Indian subcontinent or for Asian Indians who have immigrated to the USA. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of immigration to the USA on plasma levels of lipoprotein [a] (Lp[a]) and other independent risk factors for CHD in Asian Indians. Three subject groups were studied: group 1, 57 subjects living in India and diagnosed with CHD (CHD patients); group 2, 46 subjects living in India and showing no symptoms of CHD (control subjects); group 3, 206 Asian Indians living in the USA. Fasting blood samples were drawn to determine plasma levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein [LDL cholesterol (LDL-Chol)], high density lipoprotein [HDL cholesterol (HDL-Chol)], apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100), and Lp[a]. Apolipoprotein [a] (apo[a]) size polymorphism was determined by immunoblotting. Plasma TG, apoB-100, and Lp[a] concentrations were higher in CHD patients than in control and USA groups. CHD patients had higher levels of TC and LDL-Chol and lower HDL-Chol than control subjects. However, the USA population had higher levels of TC, LDL-Chol, and apoB-100 and lower HDL-Chol than control subjects. Plasma Lp[a] levels were inversely correlated with the relative molecular weight of the more abundant of each subject's two apo[a] isoforms (MAI), and CHD patients showed higher frequencies of lower relative molecular weights among MAI. Our observed changes in lipid profiles suggest that immigrating to the USA may place Asian Indians at increased risk for CHD. This study suggests that elevated plasma Lp[a] confers genetic predisposition to CHD in Asian Indians, and nutritional and environmental factors further increase the risk of CHD. This is the first report implicating MAI size as a predictor for development of premature CHD in Asian Indians. Including plasma Lp[a] concentration and apo[a] phenotype in screening procedures may permit early detection and preventive treatment of CHD in this population.

Son preference and sex composition of children: Evidence from india

Although the effect of son preference on sex composition of children ever born is undetectable in national-level estimates that aggregate across all families, this article provides empirical evidence from India that son preference has two pronounced and predictable family-level effects on the sex composition of children ever born. First, data from India show that smaller families have a significantly higher proportion of sons than larger families. Second, socially and economically disadvantaged couples and couples from the northern region of India not only want but also attain a higher proportion of sons, if the effects of family size are controlled.

Economic analysis of industrial agroforestry: poplar (Populus deltoides) in Uttar Pradesh (India)

To meet raw material requirements, Wimco, the biggest manufacturer of matches in India, has been promoting poplar-based agroforestry through an agroforestry project since 1984 approved by the National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (NABARD) in the northern region of India. This study aims at evaluating the performance of poplar-based agroforestry in terms of income, employment and environmental impact from the farmers' perspective. Poplar-based agroforestry is economically viable and more profitable than many of the crop rotations followed in the study area. This land-use system is also capable of providing employment opportunities on farms. Sensitivity analyses indicate that this system is not highly risky. However, costs charged by Wimco for technical advice substantially reduce the income from poplar plantation. With agroforestry experience, farmers can expect high dividends in subsequent rotations. Life-time matrices developed through group interviews are useful for thorough economic analyses of agroforestry projects, particularly in cases where data over a period of time are not available.

Negligible Male Gene Flow Across Ethnic Boundaries in India, Revealed by Analysis of Y-Chromosomal DNA Polymorphisms

From the historically prevalent social structure of Indian populations it may be predicted that there has been very little male gene flow across ethnic boundaries. To test this finding, we have analyzed DNA samples of individuals belonging to 10 ethnic groups, speaking Indo-European or Austroasiatic languages and inhabiting the eastern and northern regions of India. Eight Y-chromosomal markers, two biallelic and six microsatellite, were studied. All populations were monomorphic for the deletion allele at the YAP (DYS287) locus and for the 119-bp allele at the DYS288 locus. Y-chromosomal haplotypes were constructed on the basis of one RFLP locus and five microsatellite loci. The haplotype distribution among the groups showed that different ethnic groups harbor nearly disjoint sets of haplotypes. This indicates that there has been virtually no male gene flow among ethnic groups. Analysis of molecular variance revealed that there was significant haplotypic variation between castes and tribes, but nonsignificant variation among ranked caste clusters. Haplotypic variation attributable to differences in geographical regions of habitat was also nonsignificant.

Basic minimum needs, quality of life and selected correlates : Explorations in villages in northern India

For those involved in international development, one of the major goals is an improvement in the quality of life of the poor. Bhargava and Chakrabati (1992: 133) see the “primary objective of development at any given time is to improve the quality of life”. Indeed, the mission statement for an international development organization explicitly commits itself to the improvement of the quality of life for the “poorest of the poor” (DID, 1994). Social indicators, as “transeconomic” measures of quality of life, have “become an integral part of 'development indicators”' (Kao and Liu, 1984: 400; see, also Kahn, 1991). The connection between quality of life and development extends beyond the Third World. For example, in the U.S. Myers (1987) found quality of life influenced inmigration to Austin, Texas, thus affecting its economic development. Undoubtedly the majority of the connections between social indicators and development has been examined at the macro, or national levels using economic, health, education and other objective, comparative indices. Recognizing that such measures as GNP are oftentimes inadequate, assorted indices have been derived to gauge the changes in social development over time, e.g., the well-known Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI) constructed by the Overseas Development Council (Morris, 1976). Many of these tend to focus on objective, material indicators (commodity possessions) as opposed to the more subjective ones (Anand and Ravallion, 1993). It is not the purpose of this paper to examine the various critics' arguments about the strengths and weaknesses of extant macro versus micro indices, but rather to lend support for the general need to assess development and social change through social indicators, whether macro or micro, objective or subjective. Ultimately, the purpose of the assessment should guide which social indicators are selected. The purpose of this paper is to examine several issues arising from the linkages between development efforts and quality of life (QOL). Using empirical data which were gathered to evaluate a community development project in the Garhwal region of Northern India, several issues, germane to both social indicators and development, will be investigated. These include: (1) the relationship between “Basic Minimum Needs” (BMNs) and QOL, (2) some methodological innovations for measuring both BMNs and QOL, and (3) selected correlates of BMNs and social indicators of QOL for Garhwali villagers. Before describing the project and its findings, we will first place it in the overall development context.

COMPARATIVE GROWTH OF AGROFORESTRY TREES IN THE MIDHILL REGION OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, INDIA

SUMMARY Multi-purpose woody plants are needed for the reclamation of degraded agricultural lands in the midhill regions of northern India. Results are presented of a study into the growth of nine multi-purpose trees over a five-year period. Eucalyptus hybrid and Robinia pseudacacia performed best, with 90% survival and a height growth of nearly 5 m. Additional screening trials are needed to identify suitable indigenous species and better seed sources for Robinia pseudacacia.

Studies of resource use and yield of mustard and chickpea grown in intercropping systems

SummaryA study was made under rainfed (unirrigated) conditions in a subtropical and semi-arid region of northern India during the winter (October–March) seasons of 1980–1 and 1981–2 to evaluate the growth, resource use and seed yield performance of four intercropping systems, namely mustard alone, ⅔ mustard +⅓ chickpea, ⅓ mustard + ⅔ chickpea and chickpea alone grown at 7·5, 15·0, 22·5 and 30·0 plants/m2.The total economic productivity of intercrop systems was greater than that of either component grown alone. The components of seed yield (number of primary and secondary branches, number of pods, seed weight per plant and weight of seed) increased in mustard where intercropped but the opposite occurred in chickpea. These growth attributes were decreased with an increase in plant population density. The two crop species needed an individual density less than their sole crop optima to form an optimum density when intercropped. A mixture of ⅓ mustard + ⅔ chickpea appeared to be the best system for the rainfed conditions in which these experiments were made and produced greatest yield advantage.Chickpea grown in ⅓ mustard + ⅔ chickpea combination had greater nodulation with higher dry weight per nodule. A greater leaf area index (LAI) for both the crop species was noted in ⅓ mustard + ⅔ chickpea mixture than were found in other systems. The maximum LAI of mustard and chickpea was attained at 60 and 120 days after sowing respectively and this may be why a lower proportion of mustard plants in the intercrop was more advantageous.A combination of ⅓ mustard + ⅔ chickpea removed more nitrogen from the soil, had better water use efficiency and comparatively less soil moisture depletion than the sole crop. Soil nitrogen utilization and soil moisture depletion were less at higher densities.

Interference Assessment for Siting Satellite TTC Station

The problem of mutual interference between Satellite Communication System especially Satellite Telemetry, Tracking and Command (TTC) System and terrestrial Line-of-Sight (LOS) radio-relay system sharing the same frequency band is addressed here. The method of interference assessment based on ITU Radio Regulations and CCIR Recommendations is briefly described. The results of interference measurement conducted in hilly and urban region of northern India are given here. It is shown that the coordination distance as calculated in accordance with the theoretical model given ITU Radio Regulation can be reduced in practical cases, depending upon the local geographical conditions. The factors contributing to the deviations in measured results from interference values estimated based on the theoretical model are also discussed.

Bridge Resting on an Ice Body at High Altitude

In some of the snow‐bound, glaciated regions of the high mountains, roads may have to pass over ice. In most cases, the road alinement is selected to avoid large stretches of ice; smaller ice bodies are either not permanent (forming only in winter), or can be easily destroyed, as well as the road formation constructed over them. The bridge described in this paper is of a semi‐permanent nature and is founded upon a perennial ice body in a very cold and glaciated mountainous region of Northern India, at an altitude of 5,580 m (18,307 ft) above sea level. This is a unique motorable bridge which has the triple distinction of being the world's highest, of being semi‐permanent, and of being founded upon a permanent ice body. Described here are the sequence of events which led to the construction of this bridge and details of the construction.

Effect of N fertilization on yield and moisture extraction by rainfed maize as affected by soil type and rainfall in Punjab, India

Abstract Field experiments were conducted in a sub-humid region of Northern India for a 3-year period on loamy sand (Ustifluvent) and sandy loam (Haplustalf) soils using four rates of N (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg/ha) to study their effect on yield and moisture extraction by rainfed maize. Seasonal rainfall varied from 477 to 861 mm. Grain yield and response to N application varied with soil type irrespective of seasonal rainfall. Response to N application was observed up to 40 and 80 kg N/ha in loamy sand and sandy loam soils, respectively. Compared with control, N application increased yield and water use in all situations. The fertilized crop used 23–49 mm more profile water than the unfertilized crop. The fertilized crop particularly utilized more water from lower layers (120–180 cm) during a low rainfall year.

Caste, Politics, and Art

Indian civilization is made up of many strands, woven together by the invasions, assimilations, and proselytizings which have characterized its history and prehistory. Generally, however, elements of the Sanskritic culture brought in by Aryan invaders (conjecturally from the Middle East) around 1500 B.C. are dominant, though the farther one gets from the northern regions of India, the less apparent this dominance becomes. The question whether the culture of southern India is a remnant of the pre-Aryan civilization of India or also was imported has never been resolved. However, regional differences in culture within the framework of a Sanskritic civilization are not disputed, nor is the fact that southern India is less Sanskritic in culture than northern India.Such differences manifest themselves in a variety of customs, artifacts, arts, languages, and rituals.

Studies on Magra (Indian) Wool

A detailed physicochemical examination has been made of Magra wool, which is obtained from one of the principal sheep breeds found in the dry, northern region of India. In order to obtain more uniform materials to study, the wool was divided into fine fibers devoid of medulla, averaging about 56s quality (MGAF), and heterotypic fibers of about 44s quality containing fragmental medullae (MGAH). The hairs and kemp present in this breed were not examined. For comparative purposes, parallel studies were made also on 64s Merino wool. There are three major structural differences between MGAF fibers and Merino wool. The former possesses a much lower cystine content, contains more amorphous material, and has a different ortho- and para-cortical cell distribution. Although physical mea surements indicate that MGAF fibers may constitute a good-quality wool, these differ ences must be borne in mind, and it would be essential to ensure that improved breeding methods, which would diminish the heterotypic fibers and result in the loss of the valuable "carpet wool" qualities, will in fact be followed by the development of a high- quality apparel wool.