Defence Life Science Journal
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Performance Evaluation of Aviation Headset in Indian Army
Get PDFPassive hearing protective devices, referred also as ear defenders, work by obstructing noise propagation through the ear canal of the receiver. These gadgets are a popular choice as they offer high attenuation over a broad frequency range, though at times inadequately, especially in the low frequency region, as per International Standards of occupational exposure to noise. Upward masking of speech signal by low frequency noise also degrades the intelligibility of speech in noise that may lead to decrement in performance and hamper the safety of individualsworking in noisy occupational environments. Active noise reducing hearing protective devices lend the possibility of avoiding these problems particularly where the major acoustic energy is centered at low frequencies, rendering these active contraptions a powerful tool in preventing noise induced hearing loss without hampering speech/oralcommunication. Accordingly, the present study was undertaken to investigate the potential of Telex Stratus 30 Headset in providing protection against noise induced hearing loss and to evaluate its efficacy in improving the speech intelligibility of our Armed forces personnel working in different noise spectral environment
Personality Antecedents of Internet Overuse Behaviour Among College Students
Get PDFInternet has become a ubiquitous feature at home, school and the workplace, as the worldwide population of Internet users has grown rapidly in the recent years. However, its excessive use, especially using it unnecessarily, is found to affect psychological functioning of the users, more particular harm caused among the youngsters. Researchers have found some of the individual factors, particularly the individual personality, that significantly correlate with the both the trend in usage of Internet and its overuse as well. Hence, investigators of this study wanted to examine whether personality is predicting internet overuse behaviour among college going students. For this a sample of 153 college and university students (92 male and 61 female) in the age range of 18 to 25 years were selected non-randomly from 4 different institutions in Tamil Nadu. They were administered with the 120 item IPIP NEO personality inventory and 36 item online cognition scale. Regression analyses were carried out test the hypotheses, using SPSS (version 23.0). Results showed that the personality factors, except openness to experience were found to be predicting internet overuse, with an overall R2 value of 0.37. Among the factors, excitement seeking of extraversion, anxiety, anger and depression facets of neuroticism and self-efficacy, orderliness, cautiousness and dutifulness facets of conscientiousness were significantly contributing. To infer, the respondents in the sample, who were highly sensation seekers, anxious and depressive by nature, low on self-efficacy, not being orderly and dutiful tend to overuse internet. Among the personality factors, conscientiousness was a strong predictor of internet overuse in the sampl
Affect and its Assessment in Personnel Selection
Get PDFA sizable amount of literature supports the impact of positive and negative affectivity on organisational effectiveness. Higher positive affectivity is associated with experiencing a preponderance of positive feeling states, while higher levels of negative affectivity are associated with negative feelings. Right person for the right job can be selected if employers consider these emotional dispositions during the selection process. The present study was undertaken with aims to develop a Word Association Test with objective scoring system for assessment of positive and negative affect. A comprehensive list of 120 negative, positive, and neutral words each was prepared after consulting affective lexical resources. Ratings were taken from five SMEs on valence, control and intensity of each word. Two lists of 60 words each were prepared for data collection on 410 male subjects aged 16-18 years. Unanswered or incomprehensible words were deleted, and 45 words were retained. Responses were categorised into positive, negative, neutral categories, and computation of the total number of positive, negative and neutral responses was carried out and objective scoring scheme was prepared. Inter-rater reliability was found to range between 0.46 to 0.85. The concurrent validity was determined against PANAS (-0.273**), and E and N scales of NEO-PI-R (0.20**
Application of Forensic Psychological Techniques in Military Intelligence and Support Operations
Get PDFForensic Psychological Techniques is an integral part of any security system as it involves interaction with the actual brain behind the incidents or planning of antisocial acts. Forensic psychological techniques such as polygraph, BEOS, narco-analysis has been playing significant role in the investigation of criminal cases. However, the application of these techniques is not limited to criminal cases or civil cases. These techniques can also be used in military investigation. The forensic psychological techniques of polygraph, BEOS and narco-analysis with its theoretical background and processes are explored
Temporal Variations in Fungal Bioaerosols in Outdoor Environment: A Three Year Study at Four Different Locations in Gwalior, Central India
No full textAbstract Airborne fungi may cause a variety of health problems in human and animals. In this study, a survey of fungal bioaerosols was done for three years during 2007-2009 in Central India. Air samples were collected from four different locations at Gwalior, Central India on monthly basis. Results showed that fungal bioaerosols concentrationranged from 550 to 7363 CFU/m3 at different sites. Significant higher bioaerosols content was observed during the year 2008 and 2009 than 2007. Highest mean fungal concentration (2687.86 CFU/m3) was found at a public garden, whereas lowest mean concentration (1722.72 CFU/m3) was observed at civil hospital. A seasonal rhythm was observed in the level of airborne fungi. Maximal fungal count was observed in winter followed by monsoon and lowest in summers. Among meteorological factors, statistically significant negative correlation was found with temperature and wind speed. During the study, a total of 41 fungal species belonging to 21 genera were identified. Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Curvularia, Fusarium, Penicillium, Phoma and Trichothecium were the dominated genera. Several identified fungal species viz. Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger,Penicillium citrinum, Penicillium chrysogenum, Fusarium moniliforme, Trichoderma harzianum and Rhizopus stolonifer from the studied area are well known for causing allergy or production of mycotoxin
Sustainable Utilization of Medicinal Plants of Ladakh and Lahaul-Spiti of Trans-Himalaya
No full textCold arid and high altitude region of the trans-Himalayas (Ladakh & Lahaul-Spiti) is a unique region of the world where all non-native living beings experience noticeably hostile environments that make their survival much challenging compared to their respective natural dwelling niches. The region is characterized by extreme temperature variation, low precipitation mostly in the form of snow, thin atmosphere with high UV-radiation, less oxygen availability, high wind velocity, sparse plant density and fragile ecosystem. Interestingly, these adverse environmental conditions are ideal for the growth of valuable medicinal plants. Like other parts of the Himalaya, Ladakh and Lahaul-Spiti are also the treasure house of several unique medicinal plants which form an indispensable ingredient of local traditional system of medicines especially Sowa Rigpa System (Amchi system of medicine) since ages.
Evaluation of Antihypertensive Effect of Fruit Beverage of Crataegus crenulata Roxb. : A wild Shrub of Himalayan Hills
Get PDFMorphological and biochemical studies of Crataegus crenulata syn. Pyracantha crenulata fruits have been carried out and an herbal formulation was prepared from its fruit juice. The small sized berries weighing 250 mg each and 4000±32 fruits in 1kg weight contain 25% fruit juice. Biochemical analysis of fruit juice quantified flavonoides content (2-3%), Vitamin ‘A’ (289 IU/ 100g), vitamin B12 (110 µg/100g), Vitamin ‘C’ (57.8mg/100g), Vitamin ‘E’ (289mg/100g) protein (1.6%), calcium (3.79 mg/100g), magnesium (1.38 mg/100g), and potassium (1.39mg/100g). The present study was designed to investigate the efficacy of the herbal formulation from C. crenulata fruits in two forms of experimental hypertension: cadmium chloride induced and in normotensive control in animal module. Since the blood pressure fells down independently in the hypertensive and normotensive rats, the study strongly suggested C. crenulata possesses anti-hypertensive or hypotensive effects
Cold Arid Agro-Animal Technologies
Get PDFEnsuring the nutritional security of combatants guarding the extreme altitudes along the Himalayan frontiers remains a daunting task owing to the harsh cold desert climatic conditions, landlocked terrain and sparse vegetation. These cold arid regions are characterised by rugged topography, extreme temperature variations, low precipitation, high wind velocity, thin atmosphere with high UV-radiation and fragile ecosystem. The Defence Life Science Journal decides to bring out a special issue on the theme ‘Cold Arid Agro-Animal Technologies’ focusing on the significance of agro-animal technologies for nutritional security of the soldiers deployed in inhospitable environments as well as the local population who have been living and thriving in these harsh conditions of high altitude
Implications and Prevention of Noise Hazards on Board Ships
Get PDFSeafarers are exposed to intense noise due to running of powerful gas turbines present in the engine room and in other compartments due to the operation of various sub systems that adversely affect their hearing acuity and proficiency. A large body of persons is employed in the Shipping industry and it is of paramount importance to preserve and promote health in the work place. Hence, this particular study was undertaken with a view to precisely quantify the noise levels associated with the operation of turbine engines and examine the impact of exposure on hearing sensitivity of the individuals. The preventive measures that can control the adverse effects like the use of ear defenders, and, supplementation of carbogen, a mixture of 5% CO2 and 95% O2 were examine
Cell Permeabilisation, Microstructure and Quality of Dehydrated Apple Slices Treated with Pulsed Electric Field During Blanching
Get PDFABSTRACTEffect of pulsed electric field as a blanching pretreatment on cell permeabilization, microstructure and quality of dehydrated apple slices was studied. Apple slices were pulsed electric field pretreated (1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 kV/cm using 25 and 75 pulses) at a temperature of 60 and 80°C in water followed by dehydration at 60°C in a cabinet dryer. Cell disintegration index was found to increase significantly (p<0.05) with increase in the electric field strength, number of pulses and blanching temperature and thereby reducing the drying time. The dehydrated slices showed lower hardness and higher lightness (L*) values for the samples treated at higher electric field strength for longer durations. Scanning electron microscopic studies of samples revealed better retention of cellular integrity when pre-treated at a low level of PEF (1.0 kV/cm using 25 pulses) and blanched at low temperature (60°C). However, the samples treated to a level of 1.5 kV/cm and 75 pulses of PEF with subsequent blanching temperature 80°C was found to yield optimum cell permeabilization. The study suggests that PEF can be used as an effective blanching pretreatment for achieve good quality dehydrated apple slices in less drying time.