Ready Reckoner Research Articles

Rolling out Electric Buses: A Guidebook on Route Prioritization and Implementation Planning

The Guidebook is a ready reckoner for transit agencies to help them adopt a calibrated approach to induct electric buses in their services. This is to ensure that the technology shift neither disrupts the quality of the bus service nor becomes burdensome for the transit agencies. Such a phased implementation hinges on several technical and financial considerations which are often inter-linked and limited by some constraints. To address this complex problem, the Guidebook suggests a six-step approach and two decision trees for transit agencies’ reference for route prioritization and implementation planning

"Pseudotumors" in Dermatology.

In dermatology, “pseudo” is often used as a prefix for entities resembling another standard condition, either morphologically or histopathologically. Correspondingly, “pseudotumor” is a term encompassing dermatological conditions which are not true proliferations, but either have a clinical resemblance to a known tumor (e.g., Pseudokaposi's sarcoma is actually a non-neoplastic condition) or a histopathological resemblance to one (e.g., pseudo-myogenic hemangioendothelioma named due to a histopathological resemblance between myocytes and tumor cells). Often such a nomenclature can create confusion and unnecessary alarm for both the physicians and the patients. Through this article we attempt to summarise “pseudotumors” in dermatology and classify them into clinical and histopathological “pseudotumors”, so as to produce a ready reckoner for this confusing nomenclature.

Key issues and challenges in spice grinding

Spices are ubiquitous in the daily diet and gained more attention as preservatives, flavor, aroma, and therapeutic agents in the food and pharmaceutical industry. The quality standards of spices are closely associated with processing techniques. In spice processing, grinding plays an important role and needs special emphasis considering the problems of significant quality loss due to heat generation. Grinding is a simple unit operation but interlinked with crop parameters, machine parameters, and pre-treatments. Several techniques and methods are being applied in the spice grinding process like conventional grinding (hammer, plate, pin mill), superfine grinding (ball, jet, roller mill), improved grinding (cryogenic, dry ice, pre-chilling, chilled air, water jacket, stage grindings). Convectional methods follow several challenges like more energy consumption, material stability, cost economics, etc. Among improved grinding methods, cryogenic grinding has proved a superior method for spice grinding. Although proven technology, it has till certain challenges in design, optimization in liquid nitrogen use, initial and operational costs. The major objective of this paper is to identify critical factors associated with the quality retention of spices during grinding and a comprehensive understanding of their cause-effect relationships. Attribute coding and the DEMATEL approach were applied for determining the cause-effect relationship of identified factors. The review highlights the challenges, opportunities, and perspectives of each grinding technique. The findings of the study intended to guide researchers, processors, and manufacturers in reducing quality loss during spice processing and also to serve as a ready reckoner for developing efficient and novel spice grinding technologies. • Heat-induced quality loss is a primary technical challenge in spice grinding. • Convectional, superfine, and improve grinding are major spice grinding techniques. • Attribute and DEMAEL approach identifies the factors and cause-effect relationships. • Grinding methods, liquid nitrogen, and moisture content were major critical factors. • Dry ice, pre-chilling, chilled air, water jacket are alternative techniques.

Dietary intake of patients with inflammatory bowel disease aligns poorly with traditional Mediterranean diet principles.

Previous research has shown that individuals with inflammatory bowel disease avoid specific food items, such as fibre rich foods, in order to manage symptoms. Dietary fibre and the traditional Mediterranean diet are both associated with reduced mucosal and systemic inflammation, gut barrier integrity, and microbiota diversity. There is limited data on the diet composition of individuals with inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate how it compares to the traditional Mediterranean diet and national dietary guidelines. Outpatients with inflammatory bowel disease were recruited to the study between February and August 2019. Demographic and medical information was obtained for consenting participants. All participants completed a dietary assessment of usual intake (24-h diet recall and 17-point ready reckoner) from which a Mediterranean diet adherence score was calculated. Dietary intake of core food groups was compared to the recommended number of serves outlined in the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. 100 participants were recruited. The mean Mediterranean diet adherence score was 5.1± 1.3 (maximum 14 points), 4% of participants scored ≥9 (commonly agreed criteria for Mediterranean diet adherence). Participants also consumed considerably less grains and vegetables than national dietary guidelines recommendations. The diet of outpatients with inflammatory bowel disease did not align with Mediterranean diet characteristics. Participants consumed significantly less grains and vegetables than national guidelines, suggesting a low fibre intake. These findings suggest that dietary interventions focusing on improving the diet of individuals with inflammatory bowel disease to align with Mediterranean diet characteristics are warranted.

Selection of psychotropics in dermatologic practice

There is an increased prevalence of psychiatric symptoms in dermatologic disorders. However, these are often underrecognized and undertreated contributing to suboptimal adherence and therapeutic outcomes. A working knowledge of psychotropic medications and their use in dermatology is essential for comprehensive management of psychodermatological conditions. The present review provides a framework for use of psychotropic agents in dermatological settings and is intended to serve as a ready reckoner for the dermatologist. We initially review the general considerations involved in prescribing psychotropic agents in skin conditions. Next, we discuss individual classes of psychotropic agents such as anti-depressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and anxiolytics focusing on preferred agents while prescribing. Finally, we discuss the common adverse cutaneous reactions reported with psychotropic agents.

Inductive cum targeted yield model based Integrated fertilizer prescriptions for tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under drip fertigation on an alfisol

Soil test crop response (STCR) correlation studies under Integrated Plant Nutrition System were conducted in the western agro-climatic zone of Tamil Nadu during 2020-2021 to devise the fertilizer prescription equations for tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under drip fertigation on an alfisol. The equations were derived by following Ramamoorthy’s Inductive cum targeted yield model. The nutrient requirement of N, P2O5 and K2O for producing one quintal of tomato fruit was found to be 0.22, 0.11, 0.27 kg respectively. The per cent contribution of nutrients were 37.93, 46.73 and 29.53 of N, P2O5 and K2O from soil (Cs) and 47.84, 31.12 and 74.13 of N, P2O5 and K2O from fertilizers (Cf) respectively. Two organic sources were applied viz., FYM (Farm Yard Manure) and Biocompost and the per cent contribution of nutrients from FYM were 38.36, 13.22 and 52.17 of N, P2O5 and K2O and from biocompost were 43.34, 10.90 and 57.00 of N, P2O5 and K2O respectively. Fertilizer adjustment equations were formulated for STCR-NPK alone, STCR-IPNS (FYM) and STCR-IPNS (Biocompost) by applying the basic parameters such as NR, Cs, Cf, Cfym, Cbiocompost. A ready reckoner of fertilizer doses for a set of soil test values at yield targets 80 and 90 t ha-1 was computed. The findings also showed that the adoption of STCR-IPNS could save more fertilizers.

Nonpharmacological Intervention Module for Graded Domiciliary Care in Dementia Care at Community Level

Mental health is an oftly neglected topic more so due to stigma associated with the disease. Hence, availability of a user-friendly module can be of immense help to carers improving their mental health, as they often suffer from depression. This in turn may lead to clinical improvement of the patient as well. Integrating each family member into the care practices is also equally important. Nonpharmacological interventions once designed and structured will lead to a standardized care continuum at the community level for all patients and will help as a ready reckoner for the careers to compare their work or call out to each other during times of need. Even the burden on hospitals will decrease which will then mainly focus on patient monitoring pharmacological interventions.

Soil test based fertilizer prescriptions under integrated plant nutrient management system for carrot in an Inceptisol

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Farm, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi in an Inceptisol during rabi 2020-21 to develop a targeted yield equation for carrot crop. After developing three levels of fertility gradient with respect to available NPK in soil, the main experiment was conducted by taking carrot as a test crop. Initial soil data, carrot yield and NPK uptake by carrot crop were used for obtaining four important basic parameters, viz., nutrients required to produce a quintal of carrot roots (NR%), contribution of nutrients from fertilizers (CF%), contribution of nutrients from soil (CS%) and contribution of nutrients from organic matter (%C-OM). It was found that 0.65, 0.11 and 0.83 kg of N, P2O5 and K2O, respectively were required for producing one quintal carrot yield. The per cent contribution of nutrients from soil, fertilizer and FYM were 45.33, 65.91 and 67.26 for N; 58.45, 67.86 and 108.12 for P2O5 and 5.54, 3.35 and 10.53 for K2O, respectively. The ready reckoner for fertilizer doses with NPK alone and integrated use of NPK and FYM was also made using developed basic parameters for varying soil test values and desired yield targets of carrot yield.

CBIR System Development Using the Concepts of Image Feature Synthesis with Matching Parameters-A Survey

In this survey/review article, a brief review or survey about the CBIR system development using the concepts of image feature synthesis with matching parameters is presented w.r.t. the work done by various researchers across the world who has researched similar topics as such this paper finds a base paper or as a ready reckoner for those who want to pursue research in this field of CBIR.

Soil Test-Based Optimum Integrated Plant Nutrient Supply for Attaining Targeted Yield of Finger Millet in Mollisols of Northern India

A field study on soil test-based optimum integrated plant nutrients supply based on soil test crop response (STCR) approach was conducted during 2016–2017 in Mollisols of Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar. The objective of the study was to develop fertilizer recommendation equation for the desired yield target of finger millet crop. The basic parameters, namely nutrients required for producing one quintal of grain, contribution of nutrients from soil, fertilizers, and farm yard manure (FYM), were estimated from the field experimental data to develop fertilizer prescription equations under integrated plant nutrition supply system. It was observed that response of finger millet to nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizers was higher when integrated with FYM application as compared to NPK alone. The contribution of N, P and K from FYM @ 5 t ha−1 was 21.84, 4.56 and 56.84%, respectively. The fertilizers N, P and K required for producing a yield target of 40 q ha−1 were 33.74, 6.04 and 24.27 kg ha−1, when applied along with 5.0 t ha−1 FYM based on soil test values of 125, 15 and 125 kg ha−1 of KMnO4-N, Olsen-P and NH4OAc-K, respectively. When N, P and K fertilizers were combined with FYM (5.0 t ha−1), the savings in fertilizer inputs were 24.4, 18.8 and 45.2% over NPK alone, respectively. Per cent reduction in NPK fertilizers under FYM also increased with increasing soil fertility levels with reference to NPK. A ready reckoner of fertilizer prescription was developed for a range of soil test values and targeted yield of finger millet for inorganic fertilizer with and without FYM.

Reproductive indices of Manipuri horses reared under arid zone region

The current study was undertaken with an object to record and analyse the data related to reproductive indices such as estrus cycle length, duration of estrus, size of the follicle at ovulation, day of ovulation, gestation length and estrus after foaling (foal heat) in respect of Manipuri mares. The mares were closely monitored for their estrus exhibition, examined with transrectal ultrasonography for the size of the follicle variation and to determine the size of the follicle at ovulation. The mares were inseminated with the frozen thawed semen collected from Manipuri stallions at appropriate time. This is the first time ever report that Manipuri stallion semen was cryopreserved successfully and live foals have been obtained using frozen semen via artificial insemination. The data on reproductive characteristics of the mares of Manipuri breed in India are scanty and there are no available reports on reproductive parameters of Manipuri breed until today in the literature. The results of the present findings are of much useful as a ready reckoner for the reproductive parameters and traits of Manipuri breed as well as indigenous horses reared under arid region. The differences observed in various parameters in relation to other breeds of Indian horses may be caused by breed effect and other environmental factors.

Teacher readiness for online teaching-learning during COVID − 19 outbreak: a study of Indian institutions of higher education

PurposeCoronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has utterly disrupted the worldwide education system and compelled an emergency immersion of unplanned and rapid online teaching-learning. The online teaching readiness would highly depend on the competencies of teachers and skills to adapt the pedagogy and new roles by the teachers. In this context, this study aims to assess higher education institutions (HEIs) teachers’ readiness to handle online education based on the online teaching readiness competencies model.Design/methodology/approachA structured questionnaire has been adopted to survey and collect data from 296 teachers of HEIs across India. The questionnaire consisted of 29 constructs. The constructs in this section were measured using a five-point Likert scale ranging. In the first step first-order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) is carried out, by using the software IBM AMOS-26. The initial model is generated for five constructs and outcomes are used to analyze the model’s goodness of fit and construct validity. In the second step structural equation modeling (SEM) is carried out to do the path analysis of the proposed model.FindingsThe findings connote that the level of course design competencies, communication competencies, time management competencies are not sufficient among the teachers of HEI of India, whereas the technical competencies possessed by the teachers meet the requirements for readiness to handle online education. The research is an attempt to provide possible explanations for establishing relationships between the constructs and discusses the usage of information, which can be further used to enhance the online teaching readiness competencies for the teachers of HEIs of India.Practical implicationsThe research is an attempt to provide possible explanations for establishing relationships between the constructs and discusses the usage of information, which can be further used to enhance the online teaching readiness competencies for the teachers of HEIs of India.Originality/valueTeachers’ competencies are a vital part of teaching online which has become the need of the hour in this COVID-19 outbreak. Because of the need for emergency response and strategies to minimize learning disruption at higher education, the study identifies the online teaching readiness competencies possessed by the online teaching communities and provides guidelines to enhance their capacity to build up the longer-term resilience of education systems. The study will be a ready reckoner for online training competencies which can be used as training need analysis to make each teacher highly competent to impart knowledge using online teaching platforms.

Hand-arm vibration on dentists using ready reckoner: A cross-sectional study

Context: Rising incidence of hand-arm vibration on dentists is an increasing concern in India. The purpose of this study is to investigate the dose-response relationship derived using ready reckoner and to identify the most practicable exposure action and limit value measure that can be collected to aid in the health assessment of dentists exposed to hand-arm vibration. Aims: The objective of this research is to determine the magnitude of vibration transmitted per day among dentists exposed to the vibrating hand-held tools; To determine the association of the magnitude of vibration transmission with duration of usage and to determine the proportion of Exposure Action Value (EAV) and Exposure Limit Value (ELV) among dentists. Methods and Materials: Using a cross-sectional analysis, this study analyzed the incidence of hand-arm vibration on 92 dentists and measured these results with a ready reckoner. Statistical analysis used: Chi-Square Test was used to test the association of vibration exposure with selected parameters that is of interest such as years of experience, duration of work, vibration magnitude of the instrument. Results: The proximity of middle-aged dentists with more than or equal to 10 years of working experience were found to play a huge role in exposure to hand-arm vibration. Conclusions: This study definitely answers the questions regarding the exposure to hand-arm vibration on dentists. This could be minimized reducing exposure times, health surveillance, improved handpieces and other equipment and improving the overall ergonomics of the workplace. Keywords: Dentistry, Exposure assessment, Handarm vibration, Health surveillance.

Smoking and tobacco: working towards the endgame as a vital part of post-COVID-19 recovery

Smoking and tobacco: working towards the endgame as a vital part of post-COVID-19 recovery

Soil test based fertilizer prescriptions for specific targeted yield of sugarcane (Ratoon) in clay loam soils (Inceptisols) of north coastal Andhra Pradesh, India

Study on Soil Test Crop Response (STCR) was conducted on Sugarcane (ratoon) from 2009-10 to 2013- 14 in clay loam soils (Inceptisols) of Regional Agricultural Research Station, Anakapalle of Andhra Pradesh with an objective of developing soil test based fertilizer recommendations for attaining yield targets under IPNS for North Coastal Andhra Pradesh. Field experiments viz. fertility gradient development with maize and test crop experiment with sugarcane (var. 2001A63) for two years were conducted from 2009-10 to 2013- 14.With the help of nutrient uptake, soil test values and average basic information necessary for establishment of fertilizer recommendations to different sugarcane production levels (70 t ha-1 and 80 t ha-1) for ratoon crop were calibrated. The basic data was transformed into simple workable fertilizer prescription equations for calculating fertilizer doses based on initial values of soil testing by the procedures laid by Ramamoorthy et al. (1967) [14] and Velayudham and Rani Perumal (1976). The pooled equations for targeted yields developed from these basic data were FN=4.17T–0.43SN–0.03PMC N; FP2O5=1.05T–1.54SP–0.03PMC P; FK2O=2.83T–0.36SK–0.03PMC K. Ready reckoner was prepared for fertilizer doses at different soil test values to grow sugarcane crop (ratoon) with interpretation of the devoloped equations for a range of soil test values and for targeted yields of 70 t ha-1 and 80 t ha-1 for sugarcane (ratoon). In the present study, there was a marked yield response was observed with the application of NPK fertilizers. However, the magnitude of response was higher under NPK with Press mud cake when compared to NPK alone. The prescription of fertilizer application can be extended to according to the soil nutrient status as indicated in the ready reckoner without extrapolation for sugarcane (ratoon) in the in clay loam soils (Inceptisols) of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh.

Assessing the Baking Characteristics of Mozzarella and Pizza Cheeses

Mozzarella/Pizza cheese is considered an important specialty cheese since it can be consumed directly or as an ingredient in other food products. It exhibits functional properties inclusive of baking properties such as shredability, meltability, fat leakage, stretchability, browning, etc. during their end use application in food. Assessing such properties of cheese is of significance since the cheese users at the restaurants and even the varied connoisseurs of cheese have ‘whims and wishes’ that the cheese should perform in a specific manner during their utility. The modification in the cheese making processes and the development of novelty cheese demands accurate functionality tests and the cheese-makers are required to correlate such data with their end use application. In this Review, the assessment of baking properties of Mozzarella and/or Pizza cheese using recommended procedures have been illustrated as a ready reckoner for the cheese makers.

Productivity, potentiality and soil-site suitability evaluation for rice crop in the Ghiladhari watershed of Assam

A study was undertaken to carry out the productivity and suitability evaluation of the soils of the Ghiladhari watershed of Assam. Satellite image interpretation led to the recognition of six different physiographic units in the studied area which included: structural hill, upper piedmont plain, lower piedmont plain, upper alluvial plain, lower alluvial plain and old flood plain. Fifty surface soil samples representing different physiographic units were collected and analyzed in the laboratory for various soil parameters. The productivity and suitability of the soils were computed and assessed by following standard procedures. The studied soils with mean productivity index values ranging from 11.90 to 44.78 could be ranked as: lower alluvial plain> upper alluvial plain> old flood plain> lower piedmont plain> upper piedmont plain> structural hill. However, through adoption of proper improvement measures the soils could be improved to land index values of 22.60 to 54.23. The land index value for winter rice varied from 1.10 to 39.77 and for Summer/Autumn rice it ranged between 1.30 to 44.32. The studied soils in terms of their suitability for winter rice, and Summer/Autumn rice could be arranged in the sequence: old flood plain> lower alluvial plain> upper alluvial plain> lower piedmont plain> upper piedmont plain> structural hill. The productivity and soil suitability maps as generated under GIS environment will serve as ready reckoner to farmers, planners and administrators in identifying the potential areas suitable for the major crops grown in that area.

Questionnaire-based Pan-India survey for impact assessment of National Formulary of India.

OBJECTIVES:The National Formulary of India (NFI), a ready reckoner for medicines among healthcare-professionals aims for promoting rational drug use. This needs periodic update based on evidence-based medicines and suggestions from end-users. This study assessed the level of awareness among health-care professionals and sought suggestions for enhancement of utility/content of NFI.MATERIALS AND METHODS:This pan-India cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey was conducted between November-2020 and March-2021. A Google-doc-based validated questionnaire (20 questions) was circulated through E-mail/social media groups and to 311 medical institutes/hospitals/clinics across India through the adverse drug reaction monitoring centers under the Pharmacovigilance Program of India.RESULTS:A total of 461 participants (39-interns, 167-resident doctors, and the rest practicing physicians/doctors) affiliated to 224 institutes/hospitals/clinics had responded. About 46% respondents consulted NFI for drug-related information and 82.3% stated that NFI provides balanced unbiased information. About 95% respondents were aware of NFI's content and 76% mentioned usefulness of NFI in their clinical practice; however, 34.4% had misconceptions about NFI, 28.7% had a false belief that NFI is a legal document to safeguard health-care providers and 22.2% had never used it. Suggestions to enhance NFI's utility included digital accessibility, incorporation of information like drugs for basic medical emergencies (71.3%), disposal of expired-pharmaceutical products (38.7%), pharmaceutical price control policy (36.3%), and drug-procurement practices in hospitals (35.6%).CONCLUSION:As per the survey findings, NFI is an effective tool for instant access to precise and unbiased drug-related information, and fostering rational use of drugs. Boosting its practical usefulness needs incorporation of suggested information, digital accessibility, and periodic update.

Lenvatinib: A narrative drug review

The discovery and clinical efficacy of imatinib in chronic myeloid leukemia opened a new and interesting avenue of oral small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Thereafter, several such molecules with efficacy across multiple tumor types have been discovered. One of the oral multi-kinase inhibitors is lenvatinib, which started its journey in 2008 when it showed efficacy on stem cells in the laboratory setting and was first approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in August 2015 for the management of radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer. Since then, it has been approved for hepatocellular, endometrial, and renal cell carcinomas, and many more trials are underway for lenvatinib in multiple solid tumors, either alone or in combination with immunotherapy. In addition to the robust data on the efficacy of this drug, it is known for its tolerability with different dosing schedules in different tumor types, a feature unique to this drug. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of its mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, dosage in different tumor types, expected side effects, and predictors of response will go a long way in its safe and appropriate use in the clinics. In this review, we aim to summarize and collate these data in a reader-friendly manner, thus making it a ready reckoner for lenvatinib. We searched the PubMed database for full-text articles on lenvatinib published in the last 10 years using the search terms “lenvatinib,” “hepatocellular carcinoma,” renal cell carcinoma,” “thyroid carcinoma,” “and “endometrial carcinoma”. A total of 1053 studies were identified, of which 60 were included in this review.

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for benign and malignant disease: a review of techniques and results.

Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is challenging in the initial phases because its progression is rapid. The pancreatic tail and body roughly accounts for 20–30% of all cancerous cases. The standard treatment for symptomatic benign, malignant, and premalignant diseases of the pancreatic tail and body is distal pancreatectomy. This technique has been modified over the years to fit certain indications, with the goal of enhancing post-operative results as well as reducing patient trauma. In cases of a premalignant and symptomatic benign condition, the spleen must be preserved either using Kimura’s splenic vessel preservation technique or Warshaw’s splenic vessel resection technique. A better long-term prognosis is ensured by regional lymph node dissection and radical R0 resection. Radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy was proposed to tackle the shortcomings of traditional surgery for pancreatic tail and body cancer. In this review, study techniques and results of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for malignant and benign pancreatic ailments were described with the intention of providing knowledge on various suitable techniques reported for pancreatic cancer treatment. Furthermore, this study will serve as a ready reckoner for surgeons and could serve to boost their confidence levels during surgery by avoiding confusion on the selection of suitable for the pancreatic diseases diagnosed.