Competition Impacts on the Financial Distress of Firms in the Healthcare Sector in India

Venkata Mrudula BHIMAVARAPU(Venkata Mrudula BHIMAVARAPU ),Jagjeevan KANOUJIYA(Jagjeevan KANOUJIYA ),Vikas TRIPATI(Vikas TRIPATI ),Pracheta TEJASMAYEE(Pracheta TEJASMAYEE ),Rameesha KALRA(Rameesha KALR 한국유통과학회 2023 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.10 No.2

Competition assures improved products and services to meet customers’ needs. The soundness of a firm’s financial health is crucial for the country’s economic well-being. Distressed companies cause investor panic, which has a knock-on effect on the economy and leads to a deterioration in the image and value of the companies. This paper aims to empirically investigate the influence of competition on financial distress (FD) in the healthcare industry using the Altman Zscore values as the proxy for FD. This study uses secondary data from ten healthcare companies operating in India between 2016 and 2020. The study’s findings indicate a significant negative relation with the exogenous variables of the study, implying that a higher level of competition enhances a firm’s FD or adversely affects financial health. The main implication of the study is two-pronged. Firstly, the firms’ managers and decision-makers need not worry about competition as a deterrent to stability. Secondly, the policymakers need not be concerned that high competition may lead to financial stress for the firms. Therefore, this paper concludes that competition is good for firms operating in India.

Inhibitory Effects of Pepper Mild Mottle Virus Infection by Supernatants of Five Bacterial Cultures in Capsicum annuum L.

Venkata Subba Reddy Gangireddygari(Venkata Subba Reddy Gangireddygari ),In-Sook Cho(In-Sook Cho),Sena Choi(Sena Choi),Ju-Yeon Yoon(Ju-Yeon Yoon) 한국식물병리학회 2022 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.38 No.6

Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), one of the most prevalent viruses in chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a non-enveloped, rod-shaped, single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus classified in the genus Tobamovirus. The supernatants of five bacterial cultures (Pseudomonas putida [PP], Bacillus licheniformis [BLI], P. fluorescens [PF], Serratia marcescens [SER], and B. amyloliquifaciens [BA]) were analyzed to find novel antiviral agents to PMMoV in chili pepper. Foliar spraying with supernatants (1:1, v/v) obtained from Luria-Bertani broth cultures of PP, BLI, PF, SER, and BA inhibited PMMoV infection of chili pepper if applied before the PMMoV inoculation. Double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that treatments of five supernatants resulted in 51-66% reductions in PMMoV accumulation in the treated chili pepper. To identify key compounds in supernatants of PP, BLI, PF, SER, and BA, the supernatants were subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The 24 different types of compounds were identified from the supernatants of PP, BLI, PF, SER, and BA. The compounds vary from supernatants of one bacterial culture to another which includes simple compounds— alkanes, ketones, alcohols, and an aromatic ring containing compounds. The compounds triggered the inhibitory effect on PMMoV propagation in chili pepper plants. In conclusion, the cultures could be used to further conduct tissue culture and field trial experiments as potential bio-control agents.

Single-flap versus double-flap approach for periodontal pocket reduction in supraosseous defects: a comparative study

Mathala, Venkata Lakshmi,Konathala, Santosh Venkata Ramesh,Gottumukkala, Naga Venkata Satya Sruthima,Pasupuleti, Mohan Kumar,Bypalli, Vivek,Korukonda, Radharani Korean Academy of Periodontology 2021 Journal of Periodontal & Implant Science Vol.51 No.4

Purpose: The single-flap approach (SFA) is a minimally invasive technique with limited mucoperiosteal flap elevation to gain access to the buccal/palatal aspects, thus limiting post-surgical complications. The purpose of the present study was to gain insights into the impact of the SFA over the double-flap approach (DFA) on periodontal flap treatment outcomes and patient compliance in terms of discomfort and time taken for surgical procedures. Methods: Twenty patients with persistent probing pocket depths of ≥5 mm were scheduled for the SFA (test site) and for the DFA (control site). All the clinical periodontal parameters were recorded at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Radiographic bone level (cone-beam computed tomography) was evaluated at baseline and 6 months. Patients' postoperative pain perception and wound healing were also assessed. Results: The SFA showed a significant reduction in periodontal pocket depth, gain in clinical attachment level (CAL), and gain in bone level when compared with the DFA. The SFA substantially improved wound healing and induced less postoperative pain than the DFA. Conclusions: The SFA resulted in substantial improvement in the composite outcome measures, as shown by a reduction in pocket depth with minimal gingival recession, gain in CAL, early wound healing, less postoperative discomfort, and better patient-centered outcomes.

Genetic Analysis of Sodium Content and Na/K Ratio in Relation to Salinity Tolerance in Pearl Millet Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.

Venkata, Arjuna Rao Palakollu,Kumari, Panda Kusuma,Dev, Tavva Surya Santosh Mohan,Rao, Muktinutalapati Venkata Subba,Manga, Vangury 한국작물학회 2012 Journal of crop science and biotechnology Vol.15 No.3

Genetic analysis of sodium and sodium/potassium (Na/K) ratios in leaf and stem was carried out through diallel analysis involving two tolerant, one moderately tolerant, and two sensitive genotypes as parents. Three-week-old seedlings were subjected to a critical level of salinization (17 decisiemens per meter of electrical conductivity). Leaf and stem sampling (from 5 parents and 20 hybrids arranged in a randomized block design with three replications of 10 each) was done 30 days after salinization when susceptible parents were severely effected. Predominance of non-additive gene action for stem sodium and dominance component for leaf Na/K were noticed while both additive and non-additive components played a significant role for stem Na/K. A single group of genes seems to be operative for these characters. Hybrids produced by crossing the two sensitive parents were tolerant suggesting genetic complementation and involvement of different loci in the two parents for salinity tolerance. The overall dominant nature of tolerance and the additive gene action for these salinity related characters suggested the possibility of breeding pearl millet lines through hybridization and selection to pyramid the favorable genes.

Thinning of 2D and 3D Fractal Antenna Arrays with Bounded and Unbounded Fractal Distribution Functions for Celestial Communications

Venkata Aditya Sankar Ponnapalli,Pappu Venkata Yasoda Jayasree 한국전자통신연구원 2016 ETRI Journal Vol.38 No.6

Fractal antenna arrays are geometry-based thinned arrays having multiband applications. The major challenge of these arrays is their large number of elements at higher expansion factors. This article presents the thinning of fractal antenna arrays while maintaining an appropriate balance between the side lobe level and beam width by using various quantized fractal distribution functions. A 2D square fractal antenna array and 3DSierpinski gasket antenna array are considered in this article to validate the proposed distribution functions. Nearly one third of the antenna elements are thinned in each successive iteration except in the case of a one-count distribution function. The proposed technique can simplify practical implementation and exhibits better performance for various parameters such as the side lobe level, side lobe angle, and half power beam width than fully populated fractal antenna arrays.

Graded concentrations of digestible lysine on performance of White Leghorn laying hens fed sub-optimal levels of protein

Savaram, Venkata Rama Rao,Paul, Shyam Sundar,Mantina, Venkata Lakshmi Narasimha Raju,Devanaboyina, Nagalakshmi,Bhukya, Prakash Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2021 Animal Bioscience Vol.34 No.5

Objective: An experiment was conducted to study the effect of graded concentration of digestible lysine (dLys) on performance of layers fed diets containing sub-optimal level of protein. Methods: Five diets were formulated to contain graded concentrations of dLys (0.700%, 0.665%, 0.630%, 0.593%, and 0.563%), but similar levels of crude protein (15% CP), energy (10.25 MJ ME/kg) and other nutrients. A total of 3,520 hens (26 wk of age) with mean body weight of 1,215+12.65 g were randomly divided into 40 replicate groups of 88 birds in each and housed in an open sided colony cage house. Each diet was offered ad libitum to eight replicates from 27 to 74 wk of age. The performance was compiled at every 28 d and the data for each parameter were grouped into three phases, that is early laying phase (27 to 38 wk), mid laying phase (39 to 58 wk), and late laying phase (59 to 74 wk of age) for statistical analysis. Results: Egg production, egg mass and feed efficiency (feed required to produce an egg) were significantly improved by the dLys level during the early and mid laying phases but not during the late phase. Whereas feed intake was significantly reduced by dLys concentration during mid and late laying phases but not during early laying phase. The egg weight was not affected by dLys concentration in any of the three phases. Conclusion: Based on best fitted statistical models, dietary requirements of dLys worked out to be 0.685%, 0.640%, and 0.586% during early phase, mid phase, and late egg laying phase, respectively. The calculated requirement of dLys for the respective production phases are 727 mg/b/d during the early and mid laying phases and 684 mg/b/d during the late laying phase in diets containing 15% CP.

Factors Influencing Implementation of OHSAS 18001 in Indian Construction Organizations: Interpretive Structural Modeling Approach

Sunku Venkata Siva Rajaprasad,Pasupulati Venkata Chalapathi 한국산업안전공단 산업안전보건연구원 2015 Safety and health at work Vol.6 No.3

Background: Construction activity has made considerable breakthroughs in the past two decades on the back of increases in development activities, government policies, and public demand. At the same time, occupational health and safety issues have become a major concern to construction organizations. The unsatisfactory safety performance of the construction industry has always been highlighted since the safety management system is neglected area and not implemented systematically in Indian construction organizations. Due to a lack of enforcement of the applicable legislation, most of the construction organizations are forced to opt for the implementation of Occupational Health Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS) 18001 to improve safety performance. Methods: In order to better understand factors influencing the implementation of OHSAS 18001, an interpretive structural modeling approach has been applied and the factors have been classified using matrice d’impacts croises-multiplication appliqué a un classement (MICMAC) analysis. The study proposes the underlying theoretical framework to identify factors and to help management of Indian construction organizations to understand the interaction among factors influencing in implementation of OHSAS 18001. Results: Safety culture, continual improvement, morale of employees, and safety training have been identified as dependent variables. Safety performance, sustainable construction, and conducive working environment have been identified as linkage variables. Management commitment and safety policy have been identified as the driver variables. Conclusion: Management commitment has the maximum driving power and the most influential factor is safety policy, which states clearly the commitment of top management towards occupational safety and health.

Enhancement of performance and anti-oxidant variables in broiler chicken fed diets containing sub-optimal methionine level with graded concentrations of sulphur and folic acid

Savaram, Venkata Rama Rao,Mantena, Venkata Lakshmi Narasimha Raju,Paul, Shyam Sunder,Devanaboyina, Nagalakshmi,Thota, Srilatha,Bhukya, Prakash,Ullengala, Rajkumar Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2022 Animal Bioscience Vol.35 No.5

Objective: An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of supplementing graded concentrations of inorganic sulphur (S) without and with folic acid (FA) in maize-soybean meal diets on performance, slaughter and anti-oxidant variables, immune responses and serum protein fractions in broiler chicken. Methods: Inorganic S was supplemented at 0.05%, 0.10%, 0.15%, and 0.20% alone or in combination with FA (4 mg/kg) in basal diet (BD) containing no supplemental methionine (Met) and FA. A control group was fed with the recommended concentration of Met. Each diet was offered to 10 pens of 5 male broiler chicks (Cobb 400) and fed ad libitum from day 1 to 42. Results: The broilers fed the BD had lower body weight gain (BWG), feed efficiency (FE), higher lipid peroxidation (LP), lower activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), lower lymphocyte proliferation ratio (LPR), and reduced concentrations of total protein, albumin, and globulin in serum. Supplementation of FA and S to the BD improved the BWG (all concentrations of S) and FE (0.20% S) similar to the control group. Similarly, the combination of S and FA significantly improved the concentrations of total protein, albumin, and globulin in serum, reduced the LP and increased the activity of GSHPx and LPR. However, responses in the above parameters were related to the concentration of S in the diet. The slaughter variables and antibody titres against the Newcastle disease were not affected with the treatments. Conclusion: Based on the results, it is concluded that the combination of S (0.2%) and FA (4 mg/kg) improved the BWG and FE, similarly supplementation of these nutrients improved the concentration of protein fractions and reduced the stress (reduced LP and improved GSHPx) variables in serum and improved the cell mediated immune response (LPR) in broilers fed sub-optimal concentrations of Met in diet.

Effect of methyl donors supplementation on performance, immune responses and anti-oxidant variables in broiler chicken fed diet without supplemental methionine

Savaram Venkata Rama Rao,Raju Mantena Venkata Lakshmi Narasimha,Bhukya Prakash,Paul Shyam Sunder,Devanaboyina Nagalakshmi 아세아·태평양축산학회 2022 Animal Bioscience Vol.35 No.3

Objective: Methionine (Met) is involved in methyl group transfer besides protein synthesis. As the availability is limited and cost is high for synthetic Met, reductions in its inclusion in broiler diet may be possible by supplementing the low Met diets with methyl donors (MD) like betaine (Bet), folic acid (FA), vitamin B12 (B12), and biotin (Bio). An experiment was conducted to study the effects of supplementing the MD on performance (average daily gain [ADG], daily feed intake, feed efficiency [FE]), anti-oxidant variables, immune responses and serum protein concentration in broilers fed sub-optimal concentrations of dietary Met. Methods: Maize-soybean meal diet was used as control (CD). Different MD like Bet (0.2%), B12 (0.1 mg), FA (4 mg), or Bio (1.5 mg/kg) were supplemented to basal diet (BD) having no supplemental Met. The BD without MD was kept for comparison. Each diet was fed ad libitum to 10 replicates of 25 chicks in each from 1 to 42 d of age. Results: At the end of experiment, the ADG in MD group was higher than BD and lower than CD. The FE improved with FA or Bet compared to the BD. Breast meat weight was higher in Bet compared to the BD, while it was intermediate between BD and CD in other groups. The lipid peroxidation reduced with Bio, B12, or Bet, while the glutathione peroxidase activity improved with Bio or B12 compared to the BD. Lymphocyte proliferation improved with Bet compared to the BD. The serum protein concentrations increased with FA, Bio, or Bet compared to those fed BD. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the ADG can be improved partially with supplementation of MD while the FE improved with FA or Bet. Some MD also reduced the stress indices and improved immune responses compared to the BD fed broilers. Objective: Methionine (Met) is involved in methyl group transfer besides protein synthesis. As the availability is limited and cost is high for synthetic Met, reductions in its inclusion in broiler diet may be possible by supplementing the low Met diets with methyl donors (MD) like betaine (Bet), folic acid (FA), vitamin B12 (B12), and biotin (Bio). An experiment was conducted to study the effects of supplementing the MD on performance (average daily gain [ADG], daily feed intake, feed efficiency [FE]), anti-oxidant variables, immune responses and serum protein concentration in broilers fed sub-optimal concentrations of dietary Met.Methods: Maize-soybean meal diet was used as control (CD). Different MD like Bet (0.2%), B12 (0.1 mg), FA (4 mg), or Bio (1.5 mg/kg) were supplemented to basal diet (BD) having no supplemental Met. The BD without MD was kept for comparison. Each diet was fed ad libitum to 10 replicates of 25 chicks in each from 1 to 42 d of age.Results: At the end of experiment, the ADG in MD group was higher than BD and lower than CD. The FE improved with FA or Bet compared to the BD. Breast meat weight was higher in Bet compared to the BD, while it was intermediate between BD and CD in other groups. The lipid peroxidation reduced with Bio, B12, or Bet, while the glutathione peroxidase activity improved with Bio or B12 compared to the BD. Lymphocyte proliferation improved with Bet compared to the BD. The serum protein concentrations increased with FA, Bio, or Bet compared to those fed BD.Conclusion: It can be concluded that the ADG can be improved partially with supplementation of MD while the FE improved with FA or Bet. Some MD also reduced the stress indices and improved immune responses compared to the BD fed broilers.

Factors Influencing Implementation of OHSAS 18001 in Indian Construction Organizations: Interpretive Structural Modeling Approach

Rajaprasad, Sunku Venkata Siva,Chalapathi, Pasupulati Venkata Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute 2015 Safety and health at work Vol.6 No.3

Background: Construction activity has made considerable breakthroughs in the past two decades on the back of increases in development activities, government policies, and public demand. At the same time, occupational health and safety issues have become a major concern to construction organizations. The unsatisfactory safety performance of the construction industry has always been highlighted since the safety management system is neglected area and not implemented systematically in Indian construction organizations. Due to a lack of enforcement of the applicable legislation, most of the construction organizations are forced to opt for the implementation of Occupational Health Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS) 18001 to improve safety performance. Methods: In order to better understand factors influencing the implementation of OHSAS 18001, an interpretive structural modeling approach has been applied and the factors have been classified using matrice d'impacts croises-multiplication $appliqu{\acute{e}}$ a un classement (MICMAC) analysis. The study proposes the underlying theoretical framework to identify factors and to help management of Indian construction organizations to understand the interaction among factors influencing in implementation of OHSAS 18001. Results: Safety culture, continual improvement, morale of employees, and safety training have been identified as dependent variables. Safety performance, sustainable construction, and conducive working environment have been identified as linkage variables. Management commitment and safety policy have been identified as the driver variables. Conclusion: Management commitment has the maximum driving power and the most influential factor is safety policy, which states clearly the commitment of top management towards occupational safety and health.