Abstract : The Indian banking industry is going through turbulent times. A decade of economic and financial sector reforms has strengthened the fundamentals of the Indian economy and transformed the operating environment for banks and financial institutions in the country. The banking industry, being very competitive, not only focuses on providing wide product lines to create competitive advantages, but also emphasizes the importance of its services, particularly in maintaining service quality. This study is a descriptive one. It attempts to find out customer expectation in the banking sectors based on the service dimensions namely tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy. This research on service quality is carried out for Pandyan Grama Bank.

Abstract : Each activity of human being and therefore sports too is a performance of the personality as a whole with it. Sports is not just a function of organs, moving of muscles but also the psychology control of the activity with the fulfillment of the complex demands of sports by individual he is developing his performance suppositions necessary for that, the same time he is perfecting himself with that. Thus, each sports activity has effects on the individual more or less. Sports Psychology definitely plays an important role in helping competitive athletes to achieve greater success in National and International competitions. In scientific approach and basis of sports psychology an athlete shall have better help to achieve their objective. Sport psychologists present at the Conference meeting were generally skeptical about using psychological tests to identify talented sports persons. Some questioned the assumptions underlying talent – particularly the notion of an innate gift possessed by some and not others. That view tends to understate the roles of the coach and psychologist in developing sports persons skills, and does not sit comfortably with the view that, like other skills, psychological or mental skills must be practised in order to be used effectively. Those using psychological tests to recruit and select new staff for organizations usually do not set out to identify just those who are innately gifted or talented.

Abstract : Copepods are usually the major component of marine metazooplankton and the key link from primary producers to fish production in pelagic food webs. Copepod feeding behavior differs between life stages of the same species and similarly, the effect of environmental factors would be different depending on the developmental stage. Oithons similis were collected at a station in Dona Paula Bay (15° 27' N, 73°N, 48' E), west coast of India. These copepods after separation were maintained in 500 ml beaker containing 0.22μm filtered sea water with algae, Dunaiella tertiolecta, Isochrysis galbana and Chaetoceros calcitrans. All experiments were performed at the same light and temperature (25 ± 2°C) conditions to the stock culture. After 24 hours wells were checked for the release of nauplii by gravid females. The nauplii were picked individually and placed in 24 well plates containing different food organisms. During the transfer observations were made for mortality and molt in each well. When a molt was observed, it indicates that nauplii or copepodite has moved to the next stage. The size was measure as total length using a binocular upright microscope. In the present study, the naupliar and copepodite development showed varying effect on their development and also it affected the size of the individual stages during development. The rate of survival was also maximum when reared with natural phytoplankton cells than compared to single species pure culture of phytoplanktons. It was also to be noted that the cell concentration of natural phytoplankton cells was comparatively low than pure culture of phytoplankton raised in the laboratory.

Abstract : Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of death in the developed countries. C-reactive protein (CRP), markers of inflammation that have been associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic disease. Atorvastatins have proved highly effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular events in both primary and secondary prevention studies. However, the magnitude of risk reduction associated with atorvastatins is greater than that predicted on the basis of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol lowering alone. A likely explanation for this effect is the anti-inflammatory action of atorvastatin. The present study was therefore designed to determine the effects of atorvastatin on CRP in patients with or at risk of CVD. Thirty patients with or without risk of CVD were recruited for the study of which fifteen belongs to control (untreated) and fifteen were test groups (patients who received atorvastatin 10 mg/day). The patients were followed for over a period of 4 weeks. For entire study population, CRP along with lipid profile were measured 1st day and at the end of 4th week of the treatment. There was significant reduction in the levels of both atherogenic lipoproteins and CRP as compared with control and untreated test group. The results of this study demonstrated that treatment with atorvastatin for CVD might significantly improve clinical outcomes in the group of patients. The findings from these studies should guide clinicians to more effective use of these agents in a greater variety of patients. The findings should be confirmed in a larger, prospectively studied cohort.

Abstract : During the spring of 2006 unusuall mortality outbreaks among rainbow trout fry (7 – 10 cm in length) occurred in three separate ponds from a farm in a region of Tonekabon city in Iran, resulting in mortality of 36.50% (range 29.79 to 49.73). Enteric redmouth disease (ERM), caused by Yersinia ruckeri was diagnosed in rainbow trout fry. This disease is characterized by the presence of hemorrhages around the mouth and anus, at the base of the fins and on the surface of internal organs as confirmed by bacteriology. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of florfenicol (FF) in reducing mortality of rainbow trout fry with ERM disease. Efficacy was assessed by total mortality at the end of the treatment period and three days after withdrawal medication in which losses ceace. For this purpose, three ponds of the affected farm with a total of 5,328 rainbow trout fry were utilized. 1,752 fry in treatment group that received FF (10 mg/kg/day) medicated feed for 10 consecutive days and 1,859 in the positive control group that received oxytetracycline (OTC, 50 mg/kg/day) medicated feed for 10 consecutive days, and 1,717 in the negative or unmedicated feed group that no received any drugs. Results of trials indicated that a florfenicol medicated diet given to rainbow trout fry for 10 consecutive days resulted in effective control of ERM. There were significant differences between FF and OTC groups when compared with unmedicated group in reducing mortalities at the end of the treatment period (p<0.001 and p<0.01; respectively); however, there was no significant difference between the FF and the OTC groups at this time (p>0.05). The FF and the OTC groups were significantly more effective than unmedicated group in reducing mortality of the rainbow trout fry with ERM disease. The majority of deaths due to ERM disease occurred during the first day of period experiments. The FF reduced mortality to a lower level when compared to positive and negative control groups at the end of third days after withdrawal medication (p<0.01 and p<0.001; respectively). Overall specific mortality was 0.11% for FF group, 0.69% for OTC group and 1.51% for unmedicated group in third days after withdrawal medication.

Abstract : Commercially important demersal fish specimens were collected from the fish landing centre during January - March 2014 of Azhithala, Madakkara, Meenapees and Kasaragod. The samples were selected randomly and stored in boxes containing ice. The various food items recorded from the stomach of marine fishes such as Mugil cephalus, Nemipterus japonicas, Nibea soldado and Rastrelliger kanagurta. Generally, the food items found in the examined stomachs were grouped into sixteen categories namely crustacean, polychaetes, fish larvae, fish scales, fish eggs, bivalves larvae, gastropods larvae, zooplankton, siphonophores, amphipods, sand grains, digested matter, miscellaneous and decomposed unidentified tissue. The fish M. cephalus is carnivorous and the food comprises mostly organisms of the crustaceans along with fishes. It feeds mainly on fishes such as, gastropods, copepods (Acartia danae, Eucalanus attenuates and Labidocera minuta) and small prawn were as R. kanagurta feed on macroplankton including the larvae of shrimp and fish. The present finding shows that the It feeds mainly on small shrimps (15.35%), gastropods larvae (6.57%) and mysids (4.82%). Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that there exist complex food and feeding patterns in specific locations. This information is very important for those involved in the management of fishery resources as well as for the efficient exploitation of the species.

Abstract : This present research is an attempt to understand the impacts of informal fast food sector in India, focusing on creating entrepreneurship opportunities for low/uneducated, unemployed and rural migrant workers who would otherwise contribute nothing much to the local economic development. As personally experienced while having lunch at one of the roadside fast food in pushcart and hearing the entrepreneur’s story of how he engaged in this business, stimulated me to carry on the this work, and to showcase their impacts to the mainstream academia, which can further explore this sector deep. This exploratory study result shows that even though the majority of them in this sector is survivalists but yet reveals that they are engaged in this entrepreneurial activity with the motivation to be self-employed, also with the hope that this will increase their income and improve quality of life; while not being able to find jobs in formal sector. The growth-oriented entrepreneurs are able to create job opportunities for local as well as for urban migrant workers including women. This paper concludes that the informal fast food sector have been main sources of income for the entrepreneurs involved in the business and this sector have provided livelihood entrepreneurship opportunities for many in developing countries as well as contributing to local economic development. However, there are no proper definition informal fast food sectors, therefore this also suggest a typological definition which helps in collecting data and has relevant policy implications. In due course of the there were also many interesting findings have appeared, such as the challenges of these entrepreneurs, Gender distribution, sustainability issues, support system, motivational aspects, etc.

Abstract : This paper emphasizes the multiplicity of the prtogonist Saleem‟s identity which is paralleled with the multiplicity of the Nation. In “Midnight‟s Children”, the theme of illegitimacy in the private lives constitutes the concept of the multiculturalism. Narrator Saleem is born of Vinita, a Hindu wife of a magician singer by an Englishman, Methwold and nourished by Muslim parents. Thus, he is a mixture of world religions like Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. Metaphorically the narrator is endowed with plural identities and stands for post-colonial India. The major concern of Rushdie‟s novel is the part independent India obliviously plays in the story of the birth and upbringings of Saleem Sinai, which runs parallel to the story of the development of a newly independent nation. The hard situation of a nation is equalized through the sufferings of birth, tantrums of childhood, the anxiety of adolescence and the adulthood.

Abstract : This paper deals with the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in school education system. ICT is a global phenomenon, and children who are computer literate at an early stage of their lives might deal better with the modern 21st century. A sound knowledge of ICT makes it much easier for children to find and organize information. Many schools have dynamic and vibrant virtual learning methods which gives students access to study materials, skill questions, sample papers and assignments. Some schools even have smart interactive white boards for teaching. Children find it more interesting and become more adept in multimedia presentations when engaging with them in their assignments. The researcher discussed ICT as the need of the hour in Himachal Pradesh to gear up the schools education system and giving more opportunities to children to learn better. The main challenges related to finance, teachers‟ competency, administrative and social are being discussed in the thematic paper. The requirement of the trained staff, efficient equipments and need of motivation for using ICT in teaching – learning process are properly highlighted.

Abstract : Agricultural sector plays vital role in the total contribution of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of India, because it is the primary sector in total foreign exchange earnings of India. An agricultural product has wider scope in the international market among the traded commodities. The export value of Agricultural products are slightly fluctuated in every year it is mainly for the reason of the exported volume of agricultural products are standardized from the beginning of the production process such as processing, grading and containerization and the final goods are handed over in the hands of buyer of imported countries. The researcher has used mean, S.D, Growth Rate, Compound Annual Growth Rate and so on. The study concluded that exported agricultural products foreign exchange earnings are fluctuated by way of increasing and decreasing rupee value in the market, unfavorable exchange rate and poor productivity of agricultural products, so effective measures to be taken to increase the agricultural export of India.

Abstract : Mosquito borne disease, especially Dengue fever (DF), Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and Dengue shock syndrome (DSS) caused major public health problems in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, India. Aedes aegypti is the principle epidemic vector of dengue virus. Dengue is transmitted by the mosquitoes namely, Ae. aegypti, Ae. albopictus, Ae.polynesiensis of Ae.seutellaries, Ae (Finlaya) niveus. The present study investigates the diversity, seasonal prevalence, distribution and larval habitat of Aedes mosquito species in epidemic prone area of Chidambaram town, Cuddalore district, Tamilnadu, India.

Abstract : A method for Aflatoxins analysis in melon seeds based on the AOAC method for the extraction of aflatoxins in melon seeds was validated. The scope of validation and the criteria determined included limit of detection, limit of quantization, linearity of calibration, recovery, precision of the method was determined from repeatability and intermediated reproducibility studies. The uncertainty of the method was calculated from the data generated. The Aflatoxins G2, G1, B2 and B1 eluted with retention times of about 4.58, 4.93, 5.89 and 6.37 min with no significant interference for the limited number of samples analyzed. The LOD was determined to be about 0.24 ng AFB1/g, 0.10 ng AFB2/g, 0.38 ng AFG1/g and 0.38 ng AFG2/g with signal to noise ratio at 3 to1. LOQ was estimated to be 0.39 ng/g for AFB1, 0.17 ng/g for AFB2, 0.63 ng/g for AFG1 and 0.63 ng/g for AFG2 using the three times signal noise to peak height for aflatoxins. The precision and the bias of the method was 0.097 and 1.326 respectively while the expanded uncertainty was 0.242.

Abstract : The rapid growth of internet users globally provides a bright prospect for e-marketers. According to a study from International Data Corp (IDC) more than 600 million people accessed the internet globally by the end of 2002 and spent more than US$1 trillion buying goods and services online (Straits Times, 2002). E-tickets substitutes the paper based flight coupon‟s by an electronic ticket image that is stored in the airline‟s database. The strategic question is to provide a better understanding about the influencing factors towards the customer‟s intention to purchase an e-ticket in Thoothukudi. The main objectives of study are to know the personal profile of the respondents, to find out the consumers purchasing behaviour of E-Tickets, to examine the reasons for purchasing E-Tickets, to analyse the attitude of the respondents towards E-Tickets to find out the problems faced by the respondents while purchasing E-Tickets to analyse the strategies developed by IRCTC in E-Ticketing and to offer suggestions to overcome the problems. 41 per cent of the respondents are working as a private employee. 62 per cent of the respondents are in the nuclear family system. 43 per cent of the respondents belong to the income group of 10,000 – 20,000. 28 per cent of the respondents are accessing internet each time for the business purpose.100 per cent of the respondents said that, they are booking the ticket through online. 42 per cent of the respondents are mainly conduct e-ticketing activities from home. 40 per cent of the respondents use e-ticketing few times in a month. The procedure for E-ticketing must be simplified, then only the illiterate people can use the E-Ticketing. In order to check the malpractice of the brokers proper norms must be framed by the transport authorities. The passengers should be permitted to pay the amount for E-Ticketing through all banks irrespective of nationalized and non-nationalised banks.

Abstract : Sea turtles are the ancient origin turtles are world wide distribute and are migratory in nature. It was reported that population of sea turtles has declined during the past century due to direct harvest, egg collection by catch in fisheries, turtles incidental capture in fishing gear, habitat loss and pollution. The Poompuhar coast is one of the sporadic nesting locations of Olive Ridley turtles recent days coastal development activities, tourism, beach armoring, development of fishing harbors, induced to decline the population of olive ridley turtles. This paper reviews the current status of fishing activities of the peoples, fisheries induced mortality of turtles and suggest the offshore and onshore activities and habitat destruction of the coastline were identified.

Abstract : Chitin is a versatile compound and most abundant biopolymer next to cellulose. It has plenty of applications for its resourceful potentials especially as artificial skin, anti-cancer drug, waste water treatment agent, etc. In the present study, an attempt has been made to extract chitin from trash crabs Calappa lophos, Dromia dehaani, Dorippe facchino and stomatopod Squilla spp. The chitin extracted from exoskeleton shells by demineralisation with acid treatment and deproteinisation with strong alkali treatment. The chitin yield was 37.1%, 27.7%, 8.97% and 24.18% from C. lophos, D. dehaani, D. facchino and Squilla spp. respectively. The extracted chitin was confirmed by FT-IR analysis compared with standard grade chitin. The quality examined by analysis of moisture, ash, protein and lipid contents. Surface of the chitin was examined under Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).

Abstract : Resins are amorphous mixture of essential oil, oxygenated products of terpenes and carboxylic acids which are obtained as exudates from plants. They are considered as end products of metabolism. Terpenoids are secondary metabolic products which once were considered unimportant. Resins have many pharmaceutical applications and some of them are used as incense. The present study was aimed to study and reaffirm the phytochemical constituents and some of the pharmacological uses of some resin yielding plants. Collection of the resins from plants such as Boswellia serrata Roxb., Canarium strictum Roxb., and Shorea roxburghii G. Don., from Anchetty forest (Krishnagiri District)., Kolli hills (Namakkal District) and Sathyamangalam forest (Erode District). Phytochemicals (secondary metabolites) present in the resin complex of the 3 species were analyzed qualitatively. It was observed from the results that the resin of Canarium strictum showed more antioxidant activity (45 %) than the gum-resin of Boswellia serrata (20 %) and oleo-resin of Shorea roxburghii (26 %). The resin of Boswellia serrata and Canarium strictum showed antibacterial activity against the organisms Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The zone of growth inhibition (in mm) was not of much difference between the extracts of low concentration (25 μl) and high concentration (50 μl). The resin extract of Shorea roxburghii did not show any activity against the two pathogens (no zone of growth inhibition was formed).