Saumya Singh

Inflammatory markers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

BACKGROUND Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are the consequence of a persistent imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory immune mechanisms, leading to chronic inflammation. The objective of this study was to determine whether the high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and cytokines are elevated in RA patients and to investigate the relationship between these markers and disease activity in RA, measured by disease activity score 28 (DAS28). METHODS We studied 110 RA patients according to American College of Rheumatology revised criteria for RA, and 55 controls matched by age and sex. Serum levels of hs-CRP and cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were estimated and correlated with the DAS28. Serum hs-CRP was assayed immunoturbidimetrically and cytokines were analysed by commercially available ELISA kit. RESULTS We found that RA patients had significantly higher levels of serum hs-CRP (p<0.001), IL-6 (p<0.001), TNF-α (p<0.001), and IL-10 (p<0.01) as compared to healthy controls. hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α correlated positively (p<0.001) and IL-10 correlated negatively (p<0.01) with DAS28. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that RA patients have high levels of inflammatory markers, and these levels are correlated with the DAS28. These findings suggest a possible role of these markers in the pathogenesis of RA. Moreover, these biomarkers can be used as markers of disease activity in the diagnosis and treatment of RA.

Multimedia tool as a predictor for social media advertising- a YouTube way

Multimedia has embraced the marketing industry with its innovative tools. Advertising as a part of marketing is not an exception. Social media is one of its tools which is growing with an accelerating speed and facilitating meaningful participation. YouTube is the second largest search engine after Google and is considered to leverage its features to provide nothing but the best to its users. Marketers of beauty products have also realized its potential and are using YouTube as a powerful marketing tool. The paper attempts to evaluate importance of YouTube as a multimedia tool. Content analysis of hundred YouTube advertisements of the beauty segment has been done to identify their critical success factors like Audio content (sound saturation, background music, loud and fast music, sound effects), Visual Category (No. of cuts, visual effects, intense imagery, slow motion, bold/ unusual colours), Content category (acted out, unexpected format, surprise ending), Message Appeals (Rational, Fear, Social, Youth, Statistics, Bandwagon and Celebrity Appeal) and viewers’ response through the number of views and likes. Accordingly, a framework has been proposed that may be useful for the managers who develop promotional strategies for the organizations. AIDA model has been used to validate the framework.

Green Banking for Environmental Management: A Paradigm Shift

The present era of industrialization and globalization has added a lot of comfort and luxury to human life but has also lead to an alarming situation of huge environmental degradation incorporated with all the involved activities. Today, the entire sector in the world economy is facing huge challenge to deal with the environmental problems and their related impacts in their day to day businesses. Not only the business firms have realized the importance of the environment but more than that an immense awareness is seen among the consumers and general public for the same. Due to all these reasons the business organizations have started modifying their activities and strategies so as to ensure protection to our natural resources and environment. In this context the financial sector and especially the banks can play an important role in promoting environmental sustainability. Sustainability is one of the most important factors driving the strategy making process of the business fraternity. Though we have realized very late that any development needs to be sustainable and equitable but the positivity lies in the fact that currently there has been an increasing concern for sustainable development among all the sectors in the economy including the financial sector. In financial sector, the various services that have adopted green business are banks, stock brokerage companies, credit card companies and also the companies of consumer finance. The concern for environmental sustainability has given mass recognition to the concept of corporate social responsibility. The potential benefits of the concept has gained the interest of the regulatory authorities, society, NGOs, employees, customers as well as the international bodies to the issue. In this regard, this concern for environmental sustainability by the banks has given rise to concept of Green Banking. In an emerging economy like India, environmental management needs to be the key focus area of the business fraternity and especially the banking industry being the major intermediary. This would help the firms in the emerging economies utilize their limited resources in an optimum way without harming the natural environment and face the global challenge of sustainability in successful manner. In the present paper green banking and sustainability has been discussed in detail. The paper also highlights on the stages, initiatives, benefits and future of green banking in Indian context. Some case studies in Indian context are also being discussed here in order to understand the importance of green banking in the present times. The paper also discusses about the various organizations and laws and guidelines for environmental conservation and sustainability and Green Banking.

Role of IT in agricultural marketing in India-A case study

Application of IT is associated with markets in the developed countries where capital intensive method of agricultural production is followed. However, in a country like India where rural base is wide, its relevance cannot be overlooked. In addition to facilitating farmers in improving the efficiency and productivity of agriculture and allied activities, the potential of IT lies in bringing about an overall qualitative improvement in life by providing timely and quality information inputs for decision making; IT can also be effectively used to strengthen the supply chain for agro based companies for leading to better price realization by farmers. There are many IT based efforts which are used in this sector and many are underway which demonstrate the concrete benefits of IT for the rural population and the sector as a whole.The present paper is an attempt to discuss various IT based solution used in agriculture sector and evolution of entirely IT based practices of various companies carried at especially in agro-based companies to e-power people who live in rural India and also about the latest developments in IT that facilitate effective IT penetration to rural India, changing pattern of information requirements & role of IT.

A novel macroeconomic forecasting model based on revised multimedia assisted BP neural network model and ant Colony algorithm

In this paper, we propose a novel macroeconomic forecasting model based on the revised multimedia assisted BP neural network model and the ant colony algorithm. Macroeconomic forecasting foundation forecasts the object past and present operating law, therefore, when the operational predict that must describe the analysis and this rule. Because the limitation and forecast technique of choice fault forecast technique can create the uncertainty of the forecasting result, our model mainly focus on the following two aspects. (1) Uncertainty in forecasting method selection errors is even more evident. The probability that the wrong prediction method brings the correct prediction result is very small. (2) Limitations of the forecasting methods. Any kind of forecasting method has its applicable conditions and the environment, it is not omnipotent, nor is it immutable, therefore, more of the state-of-the-art techniques should be researched to enhance the traditional approaches. We use the ant colony algorithm to modify the BP model to make it fit for holding the character that forecasting that a point refers to forecasting a definite value, this value and actual value completely same possibility is very low, this explained that a point forecast successful probability is very low, therefore uses the forecasting result judgement forecast method the fit and unfit quality to be not very comprehensive. Forecast that a sector refers to the future reality leaving in the prediction interval, or prediction interval including the future realistic value which will hold special meaning. The experiment on the stock, gold, exchange and inflation indicate that the proposed model can predict the price well with the satisfactory result.

Achieving retention through human resource information system: Developing a framework

Information systems have undoubtedly been a powerful service tool in businesses. A fairly large number of studies have focused on information system success, but little effort has been made on its contribution towards other functional areas of management. In this paper we integrate information systems with human resource management and propose a model that explains role of human resource information system and its functions (telecommuting and gamification) in achieving certain human resource outcomes. Variables identified in this paper are well articulated in literature however, the associations are immensely fragmented. We have linked those variables in information systems arena and wish to deliver a probable nomological network.

Devising retention strategy for front-end employees in retail: an application of analytic hierarchy process

Despite decades of studies employee turnover still remains one of the major issues in the retail industry. As higher attrition continues to lead to loss of talented employees, retail organisations are trying to figure out strategies to cope with the problem and contain the higher administrative cost that they have to incur. Focusing on developing retention strategies is thus the need of the hour in an industry that is facing high employee turnover. But the basic issue is to identify the reasons so that effective retention strategies can be formulated. The present paper is an attempt to identify the factors that may contribute to retention of retail employees. Analytic Hierarchy Process has been applied to test the retention elements. The hierarchical model consists of three criteria (work environment, managers, and employees), seven sub-criteria (autonomy, socialisation, fairness, support, behaviour, attitude, and capability) and three alternatives (management by objective, engagement and management by instruction). Findings of the study reveal that management by objectives rank first, followed by engagement and management by instruction in explaining retention. In addition, weights of criteria and sub-criteria exhibit the importance of other decision elements (autonomy, socialisation, and managers support) in achieving retention.

Impact of HRD Intervention on Women Entrepreneurship Development in Jharkhand

The role of gender in economic development process has been increasingly recognized as crucial, both in terms of potential for success and in the nature of the impact of particular development strategies and programs. Gender becomes especially important to consider in case of micro-enterprise approach, as the traditional home-centered roles of women can make it far easier for women to participate in such programs as opposed to the more traditional, large and medium scale enterprises. The paper attempts to identify the influence of two HRD interventions, viz. Education and Training on women entrepreneurship development in the state of Jharkhand. The sample for the study comprises sixty two (62) women entrepreneurs in Dhanbad district of Jharkhand state. A survey, using questionnaire method, has been conducted to obtain data on the nature of enterprise, socio economic profile of the entrepreneurs and importance of Training and Education interventions in entrepreneurship development. Right-tailed “z” Test has been used to test the formulated hypothesis on Education and Training interventions. The findings of the study shows that there is no role of Education in starting an enterprise but it plays an important role in improving the entrepreneurial quality and performance of the enterprise.

What Does A Customer Want In A Bike

Manufacturers have always been wondering what the customers look for in a product. Motorcycle manufacturers are no exception. More so in the changed circumstances where leading foreign brands are entering the Indian market in collaboration with the Indian manufacturers. With the growth of Indian motorcycle market increasing customer preference for variety, looks and design has compelled manufacturers to bring in newer models in the market. Yet, they are not sure that what does a customer want in a bike. Naturally, because the customer profile has changed the majority being from the 20-35 age group. Against this backdrop the present study has been conducted with the main objective of finding out what does a customer look for in a bike and what are the parameters of customer satisfaction in the case of motorcycle market. Based on survey the present study tries to underscore those attributes of a bike that lead to customer satisfaction.