Informatics Publishing Limited

H. C. Pande , Chhaya Singh , Avneet Kaur , Pragya Joshi

Abstract

The present manuscript deals with the detailed taxonomic studies on monotypic genus Adiantum L. from eastern part of Garhwal region. 6 species are described with detailed microphographs of plant appendages, critical notes (whereever essential), ecological habitat and distribution. This is the first detailed microphotographic illustrated account of family Adiantaceae from Garhwal region.

Keywords

Microphotographic Illustrations, Adiantaceae, Eastern Garhwal

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H. C. Pan De , Chhaya Singh , Pragya Joshi , Avneet Kaur

Abstract

The present article deals with detailed taxonomic studies with microphotographs on 4 species of the polypodiaceous genus Pyrrosia from the district of Chamoli in Uttarakhand State of India. Critical notes (where ever essential), ecological habitat, distributions, specimens examined alongwith microphotographs are provided.

Keywords

, Chamoli District

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Avneet Kaur ¹

Affiliations
1 School of Business Studies, Punjab Agricultural University, LUDHIANA (PUNJAB), IN

Abstract

Access to finance by the lower section of society and vulnerable groups is essential for poverty reduction and social cohesion. In India out of 5.92 lakh villages only .49 lakh villages have bank branches. Financial inclusion is considered an important factor for development of society and the country as a whole.This article focuses on the current status of financial inclusion in India, initiatives taken by RBI, Government of India for achieving financial inclusion. After analyzing the facts and figures it was concluded that financial inclusion has become a new paradigm of economic and societal growth which can help in driving away the poverty. No doubt financial inclusion is playing a catalytic role for the economic and social development of society but financial illiteracy, high costs by banks, technology are challenges which need to be overcome.

Keywords

VFinancial Inclusion, Business Correspondents, Financial Stability, no Frill Accounts, Financial Inclusion Index, Microfinance.

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Avneet Kaur ¹, Mandeep Kaur ²

Affiliations
1 Computer Science Department, Guru Nanak Dev University, Regional Campus, Jalandhar, IN
2 Electronics Department, Guru Nanak Dev University, Regional Campus, Jalandhar, IN

Abstract

Particle Swarm Optimization with Aging Leader and Challengers (ALC-PSO) is an optimization technique which uses the concept of aging. Aging is a vital process that comes to all. This mechanism is applied to the Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm, to find the optimal solution to a difficult problem. The ALC-PSO algorithm uses the concept of a leader, leading the swarm and another particle challenging the position of the leader, based on its efficiency, performance, lifespan and leading power. When Aging mechanism is applied to PSO, the premature convergence is overcome and the efficiency of the algorithm is increased. Whenever during the search process, any particle tends to leave the boundaries of the search space, much effort is wasted in searching for the best solution if the particle which could find best solution, has gone out of the search space. In such a situation, it becomes essential to re-initialize the particle's velocity, to make it come back into the search space, so that the optimal solution be found efficiently and in lesser time. There are mainly three velocity update strategies which can be used in the algorithm for its better performance. These include: Velocity initialization to zero, velocity initialization within a specified domain, velocity initialization to a random value near zero. This paper presents the impact of applying various velocity initialization strategies on the ALC-PSO Algorithm.

Keywords

Velocity Initialization, Population Size, Optimal Solution, Best Position, Boundary Constraints, Search Space, Global Best Solution, Benchmark Functions, Gbest Value.

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Avneet Kaur ¹, Sandeep Kapur ¹, Mohit Gupta ¹

Affiliations
1 School of Business Studies, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, IN

Abstract

Although there exist many empirical studies on forward contracts to hedge the currency risk, the evidence for other types of derivatives like currency options are in minority. The literature regarding option payoffs especially in context of Indian foreign exchange contracts is very less. The present study fills this gap and has tried to assess the profitability of payoffs from adopting bearish option strategies on USD-INR. The study was done for a period of 68 months from October 2010 to June 2016. Strategies namely long put, short call and bear call spread were employed on USD-INR. Amongst all the strategies, 2% OTM short call performed better with least coefficient of variance. It was found that returns from option strategy for each of moneyness applied is not significantly different from zero. The returns from all the three bearish option strategies was further compared with the help of one-way ANOVA. It was found that there was no significant difference at 5% level of significance.

Keywords

Long Put, Short Call, Bear Call Spread, Bearish, USD-INR.

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Rajneet Kaur ¹, Vijay K. Sehgal ¹, R. P. S. Sibia ², Avneet Kaur ³, Avnish Kumar ⁴

Affiliations
1 Department of Pharmacology, Government Medical College, Patiala – 147001, Punjab, IN
2 Department of Medicine, Rajindra Hospital, Patiala – 147001, Punjab, IN
3 Government Medical College, Patiala – 147001, Punjab, IN
4 Department of Physiology, Government Medical College, Patiala – 147001, Punjab, IN

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus frequently leads to development of peripheral neuropathies in almost 30-50% of patients and the most common type of neuropathy associated with this condition is Distal Symmetric Sensorimotor Polyneuropathy (DSPN). Gabapentin and Amitriptyline are two drugs frequently used for the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with type 2 diabetes. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to compare efficacy and safety of Gabapentin and Amitriptyline in subjects of Type 2 diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathic pain. Material and Methods: A prospective, open, randomized, parallel group, comparative study was conducted in 60 patients coming to Department of Medicine, Rajindra Hospital attached to Government Medical College Patiala, to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Gabapentin and Amitriptyline in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain. The patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the study after taking written informed consent. The patients were divided into two groups of 30 cases each by simple randomization. Group I patients received Gabapentin 300 mg HS by oral route. Group II patients received Amitriptyline 25 mg HS by oral route. Therapeutic efficacy of both drugs, by using Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI) was compared at the baseline and at the end of 4 months. Any adverse drug reactions of the respective drug observed in patient were also noted. All the observations thus made were statistically analysed using appropriate tests. Results: Baseline characteristics of the patients in two groups such as age, sex, duration of diabetes were similar (p>0.05). The mean age in group I and group II were 53.40±8.41 years and 57.17±8.55 years, respectively. There was statistically significant reduction in mean MNSI scores in questionnaire part and physical examination part in both the groups. Also, there was statistically significant difference between the two drugs in reducing mean MNSI score. Mean difference between two drugs in reducing MNSI score in history part (0.77±0.16, p<0.01) and physical examination part (0.75±0.19, p<0.01) favoured Gabapentin. No. of adverse drug reactions reported were significantly higher in Amitriptyline group, p value (<0.05) for the difference in ADRs between two drugs was statistically significant. Conclusion: In this study, we concluded that both drugs lead to improvement in signs and symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. Gabapentin was proved to be more efficacious than Amitriptyline. Gabapentin treated patient’s mean MNSI score at the study end point was significantly lower as compared to the Amitriptyline treated patient’s end-point score. Adverse drug reactions reported in our study were mild in both the groups and a significantly higher number of adverse effects were reported in the amitriptyline group. Dizziness and somnolence were two most commonly reported adverse drug reactions.

Keywords

Amitriptyline, Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain, Efficacy, Gabapentin, Nerve Conduction, Safety.

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Sarishma Sharma ¹, Avneet Kaur ²

Affiliations
1 School of Business Studies, Punjab Agricultural University, Punjab, IN
2 Chandigarh Group of Colleges, Jhanjeri, Mohali, Punjab, IN

Abstract

This research was carried out to study the perception of customers towards online banking services. There are several dynamics affecting the perception of customers towards online banking services. In this study, those factors as well as hurdles faced while using online banking services were studied in detail. The data was collected from 100 respondents with the help of a structured questionnaire. Statistical techniques such as correlation analysis and factor analysis were used for analysing the data. Clustering was done to identify the respondents belonging to various clusters. The results point out that educational qualification and income does not significantly affect online banking intensity. It was also observed that the main purpose of using online banking services was for viewing transaction details, transferring money and checking account balance. The main hurdles while banking online includes the absence of touch and feel, fear of cybercrimes and anticipated fear of impairing with the important information. Factor analysis revealed that there are five factors which are recognised by customers while using online banking services. These are accessibility from home, website related issues, time and cost related issues, lack of personal touch and feel and quality of service. Out of these factors, accessibility from home, website related issues and quality of service significantly affects the satisfaction level of customers towards internet banking services.

Keywords

e-banking, perception, intensity.

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