bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IDENTIFYING BARRIERS IN LEAN AND IMPLEMENTATION IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Authors: Chaudhary Jatin
Published: January 2022

Lean construction is an emerging topic nowadays and this attracted my interest towards researching into this area. Concepts of lean construction are explained in this paper and all the barriers that were discovered from previous year research papers were surveyed according to there rankings and then the ranking of barriers is shown accordingly as a result. I have also determined the cost and time that can be saved if lean construction was implemented.
OPTIMIZATION OF JAMBLANG (Syzygium Cumini (L.) Skeels) FRUIT EXTRACT LEVELS IN YOGHURT FORMULATION AS ANTIOXIDANT
Authors: Yanuarto Tri , Nurkhasanah  , Hayu Nurani Laela
Published: January 2022

The reactivity of oxidant compounds that exceed the limits of antioxidant protection ability can cause chain reactions which cause interference with the system. Prevention is needed to neutralize the oxidants, so that exogenous antioxidants are needed. One example is the jamblang fruit (Syzygium cumini (L)) which has high antioxidant activity due to its natural anthocyanin. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal form of yogurt with the addition of jamblang fruit extract with a concentration of 0%, 5%, 7.5% and 10% and the quality of SNI. Tests carried out include physical, chemical and microbiological tests, namely sensory, acid content, total protein, fat content, and a number of bacterial starters, as well as safety tests with storage at 4° C then 0, to 7, 14th, 21st and 28th day. Data analysis using MANOVA. The results of the effect of the product showed that the fruit of yogurt with 10% extract level provided good stability during storage. Decreased antioxidant levels on day 7 to day 28. Antioxidant activity is more stable than antioxidant jamblang fruit extract. The antioxidant activity of yogurt with 5% jamblang fruit extract; 7.5% and 10% on day 0% % inhibition value of 57.48%; 62.06%; and 73.01%.
THE COMPARISON OF THE EFFICACY OF CEFTRIAXONE AND COMBINATION OF AMPICILLIN-CHLORAMPHENICOL OF CHILDREN WITH PNEUMONIA OF PKU MUHAMMADIYAH HOSPITAL IN BANTUL
Authors: Astuti Wulandari Nur , Darmawan Endang , Umam Kurniawan Nurcholid
Published: January 2022

Pneumonia is an infectious disease that occurs in the lungs caused by various microorganisms. Patients of children with pneumonia in Indonesia experienced an increase in 2013. Antibiotics therapy is the main therapy for patients with pneumonia. This study aims to compare of the efficacy of ceftriaxone and combination of ampicillin-chloramphenicol of children with pneumonia of PKU Muhammadiyah hospital in Bantul. The study design was a randomized controlled trial with prospective Open trial do in March 2018 to June 2018. The outcomes used were tightness, cough, retraction, temperature, respiration rate, and length of stay. Research data were analyzed using Chi Square test, Fisher test, independent t test and Mann Whitney test. The results of the study of ceftriaxone (n=26) and ampicillin chloramphenicol groups (n=26) showed that the percentage of patients who had not experienced tightness was 82.7%, not cough 7.7%, and there was no retraction of 76.9% with p<0.05. The mean ±SD temperature of the ceftriaxone group was 36.5±0.12 and the ampicillin chloramphenicol group was 36.57±0.09 with a p<0.05. The mea n±SD respiration rate of the ceftriaxone group was 27.9±3.22 and the ampicillin chloramphenicol group was 27.92±2.62 with a p <0.05. The mean ±SD length of stay in the ceftriaxone group was 4.5±0.81 and the ampicillin chloramphenicol group was 4.26±0.66 with a p<0.05. Conclusions showed that there was no significant difference between the effectiveness of ceftriaxone and ampicillin chloramphenicol on fever, spasms, cough, retraction, temperature, respiration rate and length of stay.
"Facing the Challenge" -- Drama and Citizenship Education in China
Authors: Xu Jun , Yang Tao
Published: January 2022

This essay will describe and discuss key ideas, trends and practices of citizenship and drama education in China. It will begin with a broad and brief reference to globalization as a means of explaining societal and education changes in China. The significance of citizenship education and drama education will be discussed in relation to how they exist in Chinese schools and in contexts beyond schools. Examples will be provided to demonstrate the challenges facing drama and citizenship teachers in China, either when working in their individual subject areas or  attempting to find ways of working together.  

There begin with the landmark policies and important events in the field of drama and citizenship education in latest years, and describes the promising future for the progress of Chinese drama education from the perspective of increasing number of teachers.

There will be references to other important drama theorists who have proved to be influential in China, particularly in the context of Drama and Citizenship education. In particular, the experiential reading project “Hunter Guolie” will be used to illuminate issues about the relationship between drama and citizenship education in China's primary schools.
The Lyrical Relationship of Religious Music in the Post-Reformation Romantic Period, Using Bruckner's Mass No.3 in F Minor As an Example
Authors: Zhang Xintian
Published: January 2022

As a composer who remained true to traditional style and compositional rigour during the Romantic period, Bruckner's work is permeated with both religious ethics and Romantic catharsis. It adds a unique dimension to the religious music of the Romantic period.
The Political Economy of Sustainable Development in Indonesia
Authors: H. Wibowo Dradjad , Rakatama Ari , DP Ario
Published: January 2022

Political economy concerns with how actual policies deviate from economic optimality. This study evaluates Indonesia’s progresses toward sustainable development goals (SDGs) from the political economy viewpoint. The authors discuss Indonesia’s Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) and critically analyse its COVID-19 pandemic control policy given the policy’s importance to SDG 3 (good health and well-being) and SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth). Indonesia chooses to opt-out strict public health restrictions because of the government’s preoccupation with economic growth, the large number of workers relying on daily income and its state of democratic consolidation. This results in Indonesia’s failure to control the pandemic and to avert economic recession. Indonesia correctly anticipates global vaccine nationalism and secures adequate vaccine supplies primarily from China. Vaccination becomes Indonesia’s key pandemic strategy. This study shows how indispensable partnerships (SDG 17) are for achieving SDGs, presenting the case of the Indonesian Forestry Certification Cooperation’s work in forest certification and sustainable forest management.
Redeeming the National in Constitutional Argument
Authors: Partlett William , Samararatne Dinesha
Published: January 2022

In many countries beyond the traditional comparative constitutional law canon, the advocates of constitutionalism are increasingly appealing to a supra-national constitutional discourse frequently grounded in best practices for constitutionalism. This trend has helped to foster a nationalistic backlash which arguesin which constitutional advocates argue that constitutions should not reflect international constitutional norms but instead must reflect historically-grounded tradition or identity. How should advocates of constitutionalism understand and respond to this backlash? We argue that linking a critical interpretation of national history and the text of the national constitution to constitutionalism can help to counter this nationalist backlash, particularly in constitutional adjudication. Looking at Russia and Sri Lanka, we illustrate how this process of “redeeming the national” can provide new arguments for those interested in advancing the project of constitutionalism. We argue further that this kind of constitutional argument can also help to uncover ways of adapting constitutional principles to particular national contexts.
Legal Codification without Justice: Causes and Manifestations of Impunity in Latin American Cases of Femicide
Authors: Brunke Laura Isabella , Boira Santiago
Published: January 2022

In the last decade, Latin American states introduced a new norm into the international legal landscape through the criminalisation of gender-related killings, also known as femicide. However, when dealing with the human rights violation in domestic legal systems, impunity remains a persistent issue preventing victims’ justice. But, where does impunity come from and what shape(s) does it take? Scholarly knowledge of the specific causes and manifestations is still in its early development stages. In this article, we therefore study the nexus between femicide and impunity under the application of socio-ecological systems theory. Our aim is to define, conceptualise and show where impunity for femicide is to be found by reviewing secondary research from a selection of Latin American countries.
Review Essay: A “Countertenor’s” polyphonic rendition of the Constituent Assembly Debates
Authors: Kumar Pratyush
Published: January 2022

The Indian Constituent Assembly Debates is a remarkable deliberative document to create the written constitution of the democratic republic of India based on an open society. By its very nature the text is polyphonic and had multifarious voices with a dominant and uniting trend to create a liberal constitutional state with Indian features suited to Indian conditions. The intention, and rightfully so, was not to bring about a “revolution” in the nature of a Russian, Chinese or even the French variant, soon slipping into dictatorships of either party or bureaucratic elites or charismatic individuals; but was to create a democratic polity based on liberal constitutional values drawing from India’s history and cultural conditions. This rich text running into few thousand pages is being explored in some of its aspects in the present work. Though, the tone and tenor of the present work is not representing the dominant voice of a soprano but that of a countertenor who is castrated to reach the higher octave.
Food culture and nostalgia in the Sannong video
Authors: Xu Xiaolu
Published: January 2022

This research reviews the rural nature of Chinese society and analyses the elements that engage viewers in the Sannong videos from this perspective. Urban dwellers, rural dwellers and rural migrants have all been greatly affected by rapid urbanisation. The hukou system has led to a dichotomy between urban and rural China and a stigmatised image of peasants and the countryside. In this environment, people lost their sense of belonging and became nostalgic. For the first time since the spread of social media to rural dwellers and rural migrants, peasant groups have had the opportunity to reconstruct the image of peasants and the countryside as the protagonists of a narrative. In this study, 10 videos were selected from each of the two distinctive video accounts to compare and analyse their content. The common features of the two accounts can be considered as the reason for the popularity of the Sannong videos. In addition to the fact that a large number of viewers like the Sannong videos, this phenomenon may reflect the plight of urbanisation in China.
Annotated Bibliography: State-of-the-Science Conference Proceedings
Authors: Davis Maryann , Golden Laura
Published: January 2022

This annotated bibliography highlights publications relevant to school and work supports for youth and young adults with serious mental health conditions that were published after 2013 through early 2018. Selected publications are limited to those specifically addressing serious mental health conditions; literature related to other disability groups is not included. This bibliography is intended to supplement the Learning and Working During the Transition to Adulthood RRTC’s (L&W RRTC) previous State of the Science Paper (2013). We have also provided executive summaries from our 2013 State-of-the-Science Conference.
PRIMJENA INDEKSA OBRASTA SASTOJINE PREMA RAJNEKEU ZA PROCJENU I KONTROLU OBRASTA JEDNODOBNIH SASTOJINA U BOSNI I HERCEGOVINI
Authors: Dukić Vojislav , Bilić Srđan , Petrović Danijela , Maunaga Zoran
Published: January 2022

Veliki nedostatak utvrđivanja i kontrole stepena obrasta jednodobnih šuma u praksi uređivanja šuma u Bosni i Hercegovini leži u činjenici da se koriste prinosne tablice izrađene za područja u drugim zemljama koje karakterišu drugačiji stanišni uslovi i način gazdovanja. Indeks obrasta sastojine prema Rajnekeu (Reineke) je, kao relativna mjera obrasta sastojine, pokazatelj produkcije pri različitim sastojinskim strukturama i u različitoj starosti. Preliminarna istraživanja pokazuju da se posmatrani pokazatelj obrasta može uspješno koristiti u praksi uređivanja šuma u Bosni i Hercegovini za jednodobne sastojine. Potreba za primjenom ovog pokazatelja obrasta je naročito izražena kada su u pitanju vještački podignute sastojine.
ДЕБЉИНСКА И ЗАПРЕМИНСКА СТРУКТУРА САСТОЈИНЕ БУКВЕ И ЈЕЛЕ У СТРОГО ЗАШТИЋЕНОМ РЕЗЕРВАТУ ПРИРОДЕ „ЗОФИК“ У НАЦИОНАЛНОМ ПАРКУ „КОЗАРА“
Authors: Ромчевић Драган
Published: January 2022

У овом раду је извршен тотални премјер свих стабала на сталној огледној површини у строго заштићеном резервату природе „Зофик”, у циљу утврђивања дебљинске и запреминске структуре. Димензијe сталне огледне површине износе 100х100 метара. Измјерени пречници су разврстани у дебљинске степене ширине 5 центиметара, а затим и у дебљинске разреде. Анализом дебљинске и запреминске структуре може се закључити да се ради о састојини која знатно одступа од пребирне структуре, да је разнодобна и да већ почиње личити на прашумски тип како по структури тако и по укупној дрвној запремини, која износи 632,69 m3/ha.
UTICAJ BRDSKO-PLANINSKIH VODOTOKA NA TRAKTORSKE PUTEVE/ VLAKE, STUDIJ SLUČAJA
Authors: Bajrić Muhamed , Čaluk Amina , Vranović Aldin , Petković Vladimir
Published: January 2022

Bosna i Hercegovina ima primarno brdsko-planinski karakter, što uz odgovarajuće geološke prilike pogoduje nastanku brojnih vodenih tokova. Česta je situacija da se u okviru jednog šumskog odjeljenja nalazi po nekoliko potoka koje, radi potreba gospodarenjem šumama, presijeca primarna ili sekundarna mreža šumske transportne infrastrukture. Mrežu šumske transportne infrastrukture nije moguće položiti tako da se ista ne ukršta sa brdsko-planinskim vodotocima. Pozicije ukrštanja mogu biti jako osjetljiva mjesta, posebno ukoliko im se ne posveti odgovarajuća pažnja, tačnije, ukoliko se ne nađu tehnička rješenja koja će minimizirati mogućnost negativnog uticaja. Nerijetko se u šumarskoj operativi dešava da usljed loših tehničkih rješenja ukrštanja vodenih tokova i mreže infrastrukture dođe do intenziviranja erozionih procesa izazvanih negativnim djelovanjem vode. Također, i sama infrastruktura može negativno djelovati na prirodni tok, te kao posljedicu lošeg rješenja trase preusmjeriti isti traktorskim putem ili traktorskom vlakom. Sam način izgradnje traktorskih puteva/vlaka, pri čemu se izvode samo zemljani radovi bez izgradnje objekata za podužnu i poprečnu odvodnju površinskih i oborinskih voda, stvara optimalne preduslove za razvijanje erozionih procesa različitog intenziteta. Mjesta ukrštanja vodenih tokova i traktorskih puteva ili vlaka su posebno osjetljiva na erozione procese, što je, između ostalog, dokazano i u ovom radu, koji pokazuje da čak 80% pozicija ukrštanja ima značajan ili ekstreman uticaj.
POSTAĆ LEKARZA W KONTEKŚCIE PEŁNIONYCH RÓL ZAWODOWYCH
Authors: Lebowa Weronika Marzena
Published: January 2022

Celem pracy jest przedstawienie ról zawodowych oraz kompetencji lekarza uwarunkowanych przez wykonywaną profesję. W realizacji założenia pomogła odpowiedź na pytanie, jakie role pełni lekarz w środowisku pracy oraz środowisku zewnętrznym - w rodzinie, mediach; przy czym zawód lekarza był punktem spajającym wszystkie omówione w opracowaniu role. Zastosowaną metodą badawczą były analiza i krytyka piśmiennictwa dotyczącego problematyki działalności lekarza ujętej przez pryzmat ról wynikających z wykonywanego zawodu. Z przeprowadzonej analizy wyłania się obraz lekarza wykwalifikowanego w zakresie opieki nad pacjentem, angażującego się w kształcenie młodszych pokoleń lekarzy, prowadzącego badania naukowe w celu poszerzania swojej wiedzy, rozumiejącego potrzebę krzewienia zachowań prozdrowotnych wśród swoich pacjentów, dbającego o dobry kontakt z chorym. Lekarz w relacji z pacjentem powinien wykazywać się zarówno wysokim poziomem kompetencji zawodowych, sprowadzających się do zdiagnozowania choroby i wdrożenia właściwego leczenia, jak i tzw. kompetencji miękkich, przejawiających się w zdolnościach komunikacyjnych oraz życzliwym podejściu do chorego.
El argumento escéptico de las atribuciones de conocimiento
Authors: Laera Rodrigo
Published: January 2022

El objetivo de este trabajo radica en presentar un argumento escéptico acerca de las atribuciones de conocimiento, con el que se pretende eludir el marco contextualista tradicional. Desde este enfoque se aspira a repensar la continuidad entre el conocimiento y su respectiva atribución, sosteniendo tres ideas elementales: (i) que el escepticismo se constituye en un límite para el conocimiento y sus atribuciones; (ii) que las atribuciones de conocimiento poseen grados; (iii) las atribuciones de conocimiento no dependen del contexto, sino que se producen en un contexto, y en el caso escéptico, en un metacontexto
Timor animalis: una aproximación a la relación del ser humano con el animal a través de la crítica a la razón instrumental
Authors: Jiménez García Héctor
Published: January 2022

En este escrito se analiza la problemática de la relación abusiva del ser humano con la alteridad animal desde el marco teórico de la crítica de Adorno y Horkheimer a la razón instrumental, sosteniendo que esta lógica aplicada a los animales se nutre de un preeminente miedo a la animalidad por parte del ser humano contemporáneo. Esta perspectiva se complementa con la constatación de que la dominación instrumental fóbica revierte eventualmente en el hombre, consagrándose una universal instrumentalización de los cuerpos en la producción capitalista.
Sobre las epistemologías enmarcadas en los imaginarios sociales frente al turismo rural-indígena
Authors: González Rebeca Osorio
Published: January 2022

Los imaginarios sociales se han analizado desde diferentes campos de investigación como la sociología, antropología, geografía, historia y el psicoanálisis. Sin embargo, para la dimensión turística no hay análisis o antecedentes de investigación que permitan conocer la forma en la que los estudios turísticos, harían uso de teorías sobre imaginarios sociales para dar cuenta de una temática propia, particularmente enfocada en la comunidad local y no en los turistas. Este artículo busca mostrar algunas posturas e investigaciones respecto a los imaginarios y esbozar una primera propuesta, para un posterior abordaje desde la comunidad receptora. En este sentido, se retoman conceptos centrales desde Edmund Husserl, como las habitualidades y lo social instituido de Cornelius Castoriadis, con el fin de dirigirlos al análisis de los imaginarios sociales, en tanto experiencias de las comunidades receptoras frente al turismo rural- indígena. Así los enfoques vía los cuales se han analizado los imaginarios sociales, desde las ciencias cognitivas, las historiográficas, las antropológicas, y en general las ciencias sociales, poseen ciertos matices que permiten encontrar similitudes pero también dilucidar diferencias, mientras unos conceptualizan los imaginarios como imágenes mentales, otros argumentan que son objetivables a través de elementos tangibles, estáticos e institucionalizados. Sin embargo, los imaginarios intersubjetivos que se quieren demarcar en este artículo, parten del supuesto de que estos son concepciones dinámicas del mundo y de la realidad que forma el entorno histórico de sujetos concretos, más allá de las simples evocaciones estáticas y analíticas con las que comúnmente se delimitan a los imaginarios.
Grading of Liver Fibrosis using Shear Wave Elastography and Aminotransferase Platelet Ratio Index in Chronic Viral Hepatitis: A Case-control Study
Authors: Agarwal Yatish , Vinay HC , Kanaujiya Reeta , Gupta Swarna , Khanna Geetika , Tripathi Bijendra Krishna
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Liver fibrosis is a progressive disorder that if diagnosed early and staged precisely, allows early clinical intervention that may hinder or slow down the progression to end stage decompensated cirrhosis. Grading of hepatic fibrosis is important not only for diagnosis but also for prognostic evaluation, planning appropriate therapy, and follow-up of patients with chronic viral hepatitis. Liver biopsy has been considered the reference standard for grading liver fibrosis. As liver biopsy is invasive and associated with complications, non invasive serological and imaging techniques like Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) and Aminotransferase Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) have come to the spotlight. Aim: To evaluate SWE alone and together with APRI as a reliable alternative to liver biopsy for diagnosing and grading hepatic fibrosis in chronic viral hepatitis. Materials and Methods: This case control study was conducted over a period of 18 months from October 2017 to March 2019, at a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi, India. Total 120 subjects (60 cases of chronic viral hepatitis and 60 case matched healthy volunteers as controls) were enrolled in the study. Biopsy could not be performed in 10 cases so these cases and their matched controls were excluded from the statistical analysis. SWE was performed using a 1-5 MHz curvilinear transducer (Philips iU22x MATRIX). The APRI and the mean of six SWE measurements (in kilopascals) were calculated for all subjects. The analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. Results: Among all 50 cases of chronic hepatitis who have underwent biopsy, the mean SWE values corresponding to the histopathological grade of fibrosis i.e., F0, F1, F2, F3 and F4 was found to be 4.48±1.05 kPa, 7.16±0.75 kPa, 8.08±1.05 kPa, 8.44±0.47 kPa and 16.01±3.78 kPa, respectively. The mean APRI values of the cases in F1, F2 and F3 grades showed significant overlap (cut off value between 0.5-1.5). Also, when APRI was used along with SWE, does not have a statistically significant contribution to improve its diagnostic accuracy in liver fibrosis grading. Conclusion: Shear wave elastography has high accuracy in detecting and grading of fibrosis. APRI does not appear to have a significant role in the grading of liver fibrosis however it can be combined with SWE for post-treatment follow-up of chronic viral hepatitis patients thus avoiding the need for repeated biopsy.
Effect of Nebulised Lignocaine on the Quality of I-gel Insertion: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Sannaboraiah Sushma K , Pushpavathi HS , Yashaswini KL
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Supraglottic Airway Devices (SAD) are integral part of airway management during General Anaesthesia (GA) and are less invasive than endotracheal intubation. I-gel is a novel and innovative SAD, with non inflating cuff and it is widely used among available devices. Various drug combinations are being studied to obtain better insertion conditions. Lignocaine nebulisation is popularly used as topical anaesthesia for the airway. Authors hypothesised that it could improve the insertion conditions of the airway in addition to induction agents. Aim: To assess the efficacy of lignocaine nebulisation for I-gel insertion conditions in terms of the frequency of optimal insertion conditions and haemodynamic changes observed during and after the insertion of I-gel. Materials and Methods: This randomised controlled trial was conducted for one year from January 2019 to January 2020 in Karnataka Institute of Medical sciences, Hubli, Karnataka, India. Ninety patients of age group 18 to 45 years, belonging to American Society of Anaesthesiologists’ (ASA) grade I and II, undergoing minor surgical procedures were included. They were randomised into two equal groups, group L received 5 mL of 4% lignocaine and group D received 5 mL of normal saline nebulisation 5 minutes before induction of GA. Optimal insertion conditions (successful insertion at the first attempt without adverse response) and haemodynamic responses were noted down as primary and secondary outcomes respectively. The data was analysed using Chi-square test and Student’s t-test according to parameters. Results: A total of 43 patients were in group lignocaine nebulisation (Group L) and 44 in the normal saline nebulisation group (Group D) and they had the mean age of 28.8±6.3 and 29.0±5.1 respectively. The optimal insertion (p-value 0.26), successful first attempt insertion (p-value 0.175) and time for insertion (p-value 0.512) were not statistically significant between the two groups. In group L at 1 and 5 minutes, fall in Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) was noted and compared with other group which was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Preinduction lignocaine nebulisation doesn’t improve optimal insertion conditions of I-gel statistically. Even though better haemodynamic were noted with the same, it cannot be recommended for the sole purpose by nebulisation route.
Diagnostic Accuracy of B-scan Ultrasonography for Posterior Segment Eye Disorders- A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Chaudhury Maheswar , Parida Bikash , Panigrahi Sandeep Kumar
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Ophthalmic Ultrasound (USG) produces real time high resolution images of the eye and orbit. It can categorise, predict location and diagnose posterior segment pathology of the eye very well and is usually used in preoperative evaluation. However, the diagnostic accuracy, in terms of predicting probability of Posterior Segment Disease (PSD) post-USG, has usually not been studied, that too in Indian set-up. Hence, this study was conducted. Aim: To find out the prevalence and pattern of PSD among patients referred to radiology department using B-scan USG, and to find out the diagnostic accuracy of B-scan USG in such cases. Materials and Methods: The study was cross-sectional in nature conducted over a period of two years (2007-09) and conducted in the Department of Radiodiagnosis and Ophthalmology of a tertiary care centre of Eastern India. Patients were referred to the Radiology department for ruling out intraocular pathology using B-scan ophthalmic USG were included in the study, irrespective of any age and gender. Data were captured on an excel sheet and analysed using Stata 12.1. Prevalence and pattern of PSDs were established from the data while diagnostic accuracy was calculated in terms of sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and log Likelihood Ratios (LR). Accuracy of B-scan USG was also estimated and adjusted for verification bias. Results: The mean age of 84 study participants was 37.4±19.5 years, with maximum in between 41-50 years. Males predominated (72.6%). A 50% presented with low vision, and most commonly associated with cataract 45 cases (54%). Prevalence of posterior segment eye disorders was 13.1%. Adjusted sensitivity, adjusted specificity and Negative Predictive Values (NPV) were 100%. Positive Predictive Value (PPV) was 45.33%. Post-test probability was 46.6%, while after adjustment it was infinite. Adjusted accuracy was 100%. Conclusion: Prevalence of posterior segment eye disorders was 13.1% for cases referred to radiology department. The most common PSD that was found was retinal mass. Using B-scan USG for preoperative assessment and confirmation of diagnosis increases the probability of detecting presence or absence of posterior segment pathology. Absence of PSD using this is also very helpful in ruling out disease entirely. It also has a very high sensitivity and hence has a scope to be used even in rural health centres.
Correlation of RT-PCR Cycle Threshold Value and Chest Computed Tomography Scan Severity Score in Patients with COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Joseph Vinod P , Titus Danny Jose , Varghese Sangeetha Merrin , Chandy George Mateethra , George Geomcy , Jose Reena Annie , John Grace Mary , Jacob Linda
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Chest Computed Tomography (CT) scan for Coronavirus Disease-2019 pneumonia is used widely and viral load is predicted by the Cycle threshold (Ct) values of Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Studies correlating viral load in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome- Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) RT-PCR positive patients and severity of chest CT scan are limited. Aim: To find an association between viral load and chest CT findings. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on patients admitted to Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Thiruvalla, Kerala between September 2020 to March 2021. TrueNat RT-PCR test was performed on nasopharyngeal swabs, targeting the Orf1 gene of SARS-CoV-2 and results were quantified as Cycle threshold (Ct) values. Chest CT-Total Severity Score (TSS) ranged from 0-40 and was calculated by summing up the acute inflammatory lesions in each of the five lobes of both the lungs. Correlation was assessed using Spearman’s Correlation Coefficient. Independent sample t-test and one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used for comparison of means. Results: Of the 102 patients in the study [mean age of the patients 64.13±13.17 years and majority were males (70.6%)], 11 had lung changes unrelated to COVID-19. There was an inverse relationship between viral load Ct value of SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal specimens and TSS of chest CT scan. The mean viral load was highest in patients with mild (21.48±8.31), moderate (21.22±6.30) and severe (24.19±4.67) CT involvement. There was a significant difference between mean duration to symptom onset and chest CT scan among those with a high viral load (4.97±2.65) compared to those with a low viral load (6.81±4.5), (p-value=0.01). Among those who died due to COVID- 19, (12/13) 92.3% were above 60 years of age. Presence of co- morbidities/dyspnoea/fever at presentation did not have any significant association with TSS severity. Conclusion: Viral load is not a critical factor that influences pulmonary manifestations in COVID-19, nor in-hospital mortality. CT scan may be more useful to detect lung involvement when done nearing or after the first week of symptom onset, irrespective of the viral load. Viral load can be important in predicting transmissibility and to minimise potential spread, whereas chest CT can help identify cases requiring extensive medical care.
A Randomised Clinical Trial on Analgesic Efficacy of Intravenous Paracetamol as an Adjunct to Patient Controlled Epidural Analgesia with Ropivacaine and Fentanyl in Labour
Authors: Singh Preetilata , Yadav Pratima , Tanwar Gayatri , Ujwal Shobha
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Intravenous (i.v.) paracetamol is considered as an effective and safe analgesic agent in labouring women, but its effect on patients already receiving epidural analgesia is not well documented. Aim: To know whether i.v. paracetamol reduces epidural local anaesthetic opioid combination consumption in labour by virtue of its analgesic effects. Materials and Methods: The present double blind, randomised clinical study was conducted on 88 singleton term pregnant women in active labour. Half of these women (n=44, Group P) received 1000 mg (100 mL) i.v. paracetamol and rest (n=44, Group C) received 100 mL normal saline as placebo (n=44). Thirty minutes later all women received 10 mL of ropivacaine 0.125% with 2 μg/mL fentanyl through epidural catheter, followed by continuous background epidural infusion of 5 mL/h with a provision of patient controlled bolus 5 mL of same drug with a lock-out interval of 15 minutes. The primary outcome was hourly mean consumption of epidural drug in mL. Results: The hourly mean drug consumption in the paracetamol group was significantly lower as compared to control group (7.75±0.93 mL/hr vs. 8.23±0.99 mL/hr; p=0.022). The mean number of boluses needed by parturient were also significantly less in the paracetamol group (0.58±0.66 vs. 1.02±0.82; p=0.005). Pain relief after epidural placement was adequate in both groups with similar Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) values without significant intergroup differences. Conclusion: It can be concluded that 1000 mg i.v. paracetamol is a safe and effective adjunct to Patient Controlled Epidural Analgesia (PCEA).
Effects of Intravenous Dexmedetomidine and Clonidine on Haemodynamic Response in Laparoscopic Lower Abdominal Oncosurgeries under General Anaesthesia: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Hatti Prashant , Mamatha HS , Mallikarjuna . , Sugandharajappa Shashidhar Gowdra , Gowda VB
Published: January 2022

Introduction: From the early 1970’s, laparoscopic procedures became well established because of their advantages like excellent visualisation, improved cosmesis, reduced postoperative pain and reduced hospital stay. Despite its advantages, laparoscopic surgeries have its demerits such as pneumoperitoneum and positional changes. Alpha-2 agonists have shown promising results in attenuating the stress response in laparoscopic surgeries. Aim: To compare clonidine and dexmedetomidine in attenuating haemodynamic stress response during laparoscopic lower abdominal oncosurgeries. Materials and Methods: A randomised controlled trial was conducted at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, Karnataka, India, during the period of December 2018 to May 2019. Institutional Ethical Committee clearance was obtained for the trial. Total 48 patients were recruited into two groups with 24 participants in each group: A (clonidine) and B (dexmedetomidine). Both drugs were infused at a dose of 1 μg/kg for 15 minutes along with premedication before induction. Haemodynamic stress response was estimated using parameters like Heart Rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure at induction, pneumoperitoneum and at extubation. All the data were analysed using the statistical software R (V3.6.2). Continuous data were presented in the form of Mean±Standard Deviation (SD). The difference in mean value of the various parameters between the two groups was analysed using Student’s t-test. A p-value of <0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: Patients in both the groups were comparable with regards to demographic features. The mean age was 46.76±8.17 years, 46.24±9.70 years and weight was 55.76±7.28 and 56.08±6.06 for group A and group B, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in attenuating stress response in dexmedetomidine compared to clonidine group. Statistically significant reduction in the HR was noticed in group B as compared to group A at 12 minutes of infusion (p=0.008), at the end of infusion (p=0.008), before intubation (p=0.005), 10 minutes after intubation (p=0.008) and after pneumoperitoneum (p=0.045). Group B which was given dexmedetomidine drug compared to group A with clonidine drug showed better attenuation of the systolic blood pressure during extubation (p=0.006). Conclusion: To conclude, both clonidine and dexmedetomidine effectively attenuate the haemodynamic response in patients undergoing laparoscopic lower abdominal oncosurgeries when administered as intravenous bolus dose. In addition, the dexmedetomidine attenuates haemodynamic responses better than clonidine.
Impact of Renal Stone Clearance in Patients of Chronic Kidney Disease: A Prospective Observational Study from a Tertiary Care Centre
Authors: Selukar Dhananjay , Jain Nikhar , Akare Monika , Patel Ajit
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Varying degrees of renal insufficiency is associated with renal stone disease. The incidence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in renal stone is around 0.8 to 17.5%. There is limited data on the outcomes of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in CKD patients like improvement in Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR), Effective Renal Plasma Flow (ERPF), postoperative complications, morbidity like dialysis dependence and mortality and various other factors. Aim: To study the impact of PCNL in patients of urolithiasis with CKD. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on 100 patients of chronic kidney disease seeking operative treatment during June 2017 to September 2019 in the Department of Urology, Superspeciality Hospital and Government Medical College (GMC), Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. All suspected patients underwent a plain Computed Tomography (CT) scan. Patients were classified into three groups; group 1 included stage III, group 2 included stage IV and group 3 included stage V CKD patient. Patients with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) underwent urine diversion first. Both short term impact like hospital stay, need for blood transfusion, AKI, sepsis, fever and long term impact like change in renal function, stage migration were studied. Statistical analysis was done using Kruskal Wallis Test (age distribution); Chi-squared test (gender and AKI); Fisher’s exact test (stone Composition and transfusion); Kruskal Wallis Test {Body Mass Index (BMI), hospital stay, Effective Renal Plasma Flow (ERPF) and Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)}. Results: A total of 55 patients were of Grade III CKD, 31 were of Grade IV CKD and 14 patients were of stage V CKD and classified into groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Age and gender distribution were not significantly different among various groups. There was no significant difference in BMI (Kg/m2) or diabetes in the groups. The most common stone composition was calcium oxalate dihydrate (53%). Among 100 patients, urine culture was sterile in 77 patients. No significant difference was found in the incidence of urinary tract infection (p-value=0.629). Group 3 presented with significantly higher incidence of AKI (p-value=0.001). Stone free rate was not significantly different among groups (p-value=0.252). Blood transfusion rates was not statistically different in these groups (p-value=0.066). Mean hospital stay was significantly higher with higher stages of CKD (p-value <0.001). Change in renal function was evaluated by change ERPF and eGFR. ERPF significantly increased by 1.96±4.87 (p-value=0.001) after surgery. Similarly, there was significant increase in eGFR over time (p-value=0.037). Conclusion: PCNL in patients of chronic kidney disease has a minor but significant improvement in GFR with good clearance rates.
Mini Recap on Electricigens Biosensor and Their Applicability
Authors: Khanagwal Rishika , Ahmed Shamama , Muazzam Mohd.
Published: January 2022

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a favourable platform for continuous energy generation and monitoring wastewater treatment due to the electrochemically active microbes backing. Their considerable usage is in removing pollutants or toxic elements as a water softener in biosensors and formation of a few compounds. Despite various drawbacks predominantly including insufficient power supply, frequent noticeable growth in microbiological, chemical, and electrochemical viewpoints enables envisioning microbial fuel cell (MFC) biosensors as standard future analytical technology. This review summarizes the basic concepts, general understanding of the important associated terms with examples. The in situ online monitoring approach draws a special attention to the applicability part that majorly entails quantitative analysis of BOD and toxicants, along with additional benefits like monitoring specific microbial activity, MIC sensing, powering other sensors externally, antibiotic detection etc. Insight to modern strategies including miniaturization along with modified versions for better sensing is also provided. This paper briefs the microbial fuel cell (MFC)s as biosensors including the challenges and its future perspective.
Crop Planning Based on Monthly Variation of Rainfall and Rainy Days in Kawardha District of Chhattisgarh State
Authors: Sahu Jubuli , Pandit Ashok , Chaudhary J. L. , Singh Umesh
Published: January 2022

An attempt has been made to study the impact of Monthly rainfall variability and trend on crop production and productivity of different crops at Kawardha districts of Chhattisgarh state by using long term rainfall (1963-2015). Mean monthly rainfall was more in the month of August (283 mm) where as it was least in December (4 mm) in Kawardha district. The coefficient of variation was highest in the month of December (245 %) and lowest in August (33 %). The CV during July and August is less than 40 % where as it is more than 50 % but less than 60 % in June and September months. The CV is more than 100 percent in rest of the months. The CV in June month is more than 50 percent but less than 60 percent indicates that the crop operations like sowing of crops is uncertain in the month of June. July and August months have lower CV in indicating that the rainfall is stable in the months of July and August but again the CV increased in the month of September and it is around 48 percent in Kawardha districts. Low CV indicates that the rainfall variability is less during monsoon months where as other months show relatively a high value of CV i.e. more than 100 percent. About approximate 80 per cent of the total average annual rainfall concentrated in the south west monsoon and received during a short span of two to three months between June to September. Despite advance technology, still monsoonal rains influence the food grain production to a considerable extent. Kharif food grain production is adversely affected due to monsoon break or failure. This rainfall variability studies can help to plan conservation of excess water and its utilization during their peak requirement. For the purpose of crop planning the rainy days are taken into account and it also plays an important role strategic crop planning.
Mushrooms Contribution to Farm Income and the Socio-economic Conditions Analysis of the Growers
Authors: Sharma Nitin , Vaidya Manoj Kumar , Dixit Bharti , Sood Yachna
Published: January 2022

It is very important to adopt new technology for agricultural productivity and development. Farmers' socioeconomic status influenced their decision to adopt the technology. It is therefore important to study the social status of the farmer. The analysis was based on data based on a survey of 60 farm households. sample was drawn by using a simple random technique from the list of mushroom growers. A complete list of mushroom growers was prepared with the help of the Department of Horticulture, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh and from the supplier of spawn. the analysis of data all the mushroom growers were classified into three categories based on the number of bags, viz., Small Category (≤ 600), Medium Category (601-1200) and Large Category (>1200).  Results of the study revealed all of the farmers and most of their families were literate. The literacy status of studied households revealed that 88.25 per cent of family members were literates at an overall level and the literacy index was found 2.69. Among all the three categories all the farmers were small farmers based on landholding. So mushroom farming was preferred by only small farmers. and most of the farmers had an orchard. It is concluded that the main source of income for the farmer is mushroom production. Mushroom contributed maximum in total farm income in case of medium and large category i.e., 43.44 per cent and 72.18 per cent respectively. Overall, its contribution was found 49.42 per cent to the total farm income. Mushroom producer earns more than 52 thousand every month from mushrooms with less than 1200 bags, which is much higher than the average of an Indian.
The Effect of Private and Public Health Expenditure on Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Yusufu F. O. , Awoyemi B. O. , Akomolafe K. J.
Published: January 2022

This study examined the relationship between health expenditure and economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa. The General Method of Moments (GMM) estimation technique was used and the data covered the period 2000-2019 for forty-six countries. The results of the difference GMM-1 and GMM-2 steps indicate that a 1% change in public health expenditure per capita (LPUHE_PC) is associated with a 0.1362% and 0.1521% rise in GDP per capita (GDP_PC) in the short run. The system GMM-1 and GMM-2 steps indicate that a percentage change in LPUHE_PC is associated with a respective 0.0148% and 0.0109% rise in GDP_PC in the short run at a 1% level of significance, on average ceteris paribus. In the long run, the difference GMM-2 step indicates that a 1% change in the LPUHE_PC has a larger positive effect on the GDP_PC (1.34899%) than in the short-run (0.1521%). The result of the system GMM-1 and GMM-2 step indicates that a 1% change in LPUHE_PC has a larger positive effect on the GDP_PC in the long run (0.39967% and 0.24135%) than in the short-run (0.0148% and 0.0109%) respectively. This analysis indicates that a rise in government health spending will stimulate economic growth with a larger effect in the long run than in the short run in Sub-Saharan Africa. Thus, the government should increase health budgetary allocations.
Frequency of Pituitary Adenoma among the Patients with Chronic Headache
Authors: Jatoi Asadullah , Jatoi Asma , Shaikh Noman Ahmed , Narsani Ashok Kumar , Mahesar Mona Liza
Published: January 2022

Background: Antero-superior, Pituitary Gland lies in vicinity of optic chiasm and antero-inferiorly, it is related with posterior wall of sphenoid bone. Pituitary Gland is consisting of three lobes: Anterior, intermediate and posterior and their secretion are regulated by hypothalamus.

Aims and Objectives: To identify pituitary adenoma in the patients coming with complain of chronic headache.

Materials and Methods: Seven hundred sixty-four patients were included in our study. All the patients with chronic headache with/without decreased vision and visual field defects were included our study. Those patients already diagnosed with any other cause of headache such as uncontrolled blood pressure, tumor or diagnosed case of pituitary adenoma and patient with glaucoma were excluded. Detailed history was taken and ocular examination was done. MRI orbit and brain with contrast was done in all patients.

Results: Out of 764 patients, 32 patients were diagnosed as having pituitary adenoma. Macro-adenoma was present in 30 patients and micro-adenoma in 2 patients. On MRI majority of patients had optic chiasm compression with bi-temporal hemianopia.

Conclusion: All the patients with chronic headache with/without visual disturbances and visual field defect must be properly examined and investigated as that will help other researchers to diagnose the Pituitary Adenomas.
Correlation of Gleason Grading System and Nuclear Parameters by Nuclear Morphometry in Patients of Prostatic Adenocarcinoma: A Study Protocol
Authors: Aditi Goyal , Shweta Sonkusale , Samarth Shukla , Sourya Acharya , Sunita Vagha , Asif Adnan
Published: January 2022

Background: Adenocarcinoma prostate is one of the significant causes of death in men.  The Gleason Grading System is the most commonly used mortality to assess the degree, yet, identical results among blinded pathologists are challenging to obtain and hence come down to an unobjectionable result.

Aim and Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between histopathologically obtained Gleason’s Grading Score and various nuclear morphometric parameters using a computer-aided system in Prostatic Adenocarcinomas.

Methods: A series of 31 new and histopathologically diagnosed cases of adenocarcinoma prostate will be taken over one year, and the following nuclear morphometric parameters will be studied: mean nuclear area, mean nuclear length, mean nuclear perimeter, mean nuclear roundness factor, mean nuclear area factor and mean nuclear form ellipse. These individual parameters will be correlated with the Gleason Score of the individual cases.

Expected Outcome: The present study expects the nuclear atypia to be more in cases with a higher Gleason Score and avoid the inter-observer contradictions in diagnosis. It can be used as a tool to quantify the aggression of the malignancy and, thus, assess disease progression and prescribe a justifiable management protocol. Nuclear morphometrical analysis can be a more accurate, objective, and effective method in the diagnostic and prognostic significance of prostate adenocarcinoma.