bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variations in Opinions toward Disclosure Trend of Insurance Companies in Bangladesh: An Empirical Study
Authors: Siddique Md. Abu Bokar , Neogy Taposh Kumar , Islam Md. Rabiul
Published: March 2020

The study is an attempt to examine empirically the perceptions of a sample of users of reported information regarding the use of annual reports for decision making, adequacy, reliability, consistency, comparability, relevance, satisfaction and compliance of BASs (IASs) in preparing annual report. Results of the study demonstrated that there is a lack of disclosure in the annual reports of insurance companies. The study also found insigniﬁ cant variations in opinions towards adequacy, consistency, relevance, satisfaction and compliance of provisions of Bangladesh Accounting Standards in disclosure policy of the companies while there are signiﬁ cant variations in responses regarding reliability and comparability of accounting information disclosed in the annual reports. Insurance companies should develop their reporting policy to satisfy their users through compliance the disclosure requirements of international standards.
Evaluation of the Companies’ Performance: A Study on Mobile Telecommunication Companies in Bangladesh
Authors: Neogy Taposh Kumar
Published: March 2020

In the evaluation of the operating results of the selected mobile telecommunication companies, it is evident that the Company # 1 could earn good profit during the study period but the performance of Company # 2 is not satisfactory because it has been continuously facing loss for the last several years with the exception of 2011. The operating performance of Company # 1 is better than that of Company # 2 during the period under study. In addition, some hypotheses have developed regarding the operating results and all hypotheses are rejected which indicate that there is significant difference in operating results of the selected mobile telecommunication companies during the period under study.
Trade Policy and Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Panel Data Approach
Authors: Asfaw Henok Arega
Published: March 2020

Despite a number of multi-country case studies utilizing comparable analytical frameworks, numerous econometric studies using large cross-country data sets, and important theoretical advances in growth theory, there is still disagreement among economists concerning how a country's international economic policies and its rate of economic growth interact. The central objective of this paper is to empirically assess the link between trade policy and economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa countries. Apart from reviewing different literatures, this study also provides empirical evidence on the relationship between economic growth and trade policies. In doing so, the study used a panel data covering 47 Sub-Saharan Africa countries over the periods 2000 – 2008. The estimation support claims that openness to international trade stimulates both economic growth and investment. Besides, trade policies such as average weighted tariff rate and real effective exchange rate have both direct and indirect impacts on economic growth.
CSR Practices and Competitive Advantages: A Descriptive Study
Authors: Siddique Md. Nur-E-Alam
Published: March 2020

CSR is the managerial compulsion to defend and enhance both the welfare of society as a whole and the interests of the company. So, this study is an examination of the competitive advantages of CSR practice. This study is based on two theories; stakeholder’s theory, which states that companies have essential groups that need to care of and the iron law of CSR, which states that companies that become failure to utilize their power responsibly will lose it in the long run. Reviewing prior studies it was found that a number of benefits proliferate to companies that practise CSR; numerous advantages were recognized. Among these others consist of: improved brand and reputation, decline in operation costs, attracting new customers, balances power with responsibility, discourages government regulation, improves a company’s image, promote profits, superior relations with the investment groups and easier access to capital, improved employee relations, efficiency and innovation and stronger relations with society through stakeholder involvement. This paper concludes that there is a greater chance to be benefitted initiating CSR actions. Thus, it suggests that companies should try to provide due attention to CSR and this practice needs to consider as a continuous process.
The Impact of Human Capital Development on Economic Growth in Ethiopia: Evidence from ARDL Approach to Co-Integration
Authors: Gebrehiwot Kidanemariam Gidey
Published: March 2020

The main objective of the study was to investigate the long run and short run impact of human capital on economic growth in Ethiopia (using real GDP per capita, as a proxy for economic growth) over the period 1974/75-2010/2011. The ARDL Approach to Co-integration and Error Correction Model are applied in order to investigate the long-run and short run impact of Human capital on Economic growth. The finding of the Bounds test shows that there is a stable long run relationship between real GDP per capita, education human capital, health human capital, labor force, gross capital formation, government expenditure and official development assistance. The estimated long run model revels that human capital in the form of health (proxied by the ratio of public expenditure on health to real GDP) is the main contributor to real GDP per capita rise followed by education human capital (proxied by secondary school enrolment). Such findings are consistent with the endogenous growth theories which argue that an improvement in human capital (skilled and healthy workers) improves productivity. In the short run, the coefficient of error correction term is -0.7366 suggesting about 73.66 percent annual adjustment towards long run equilibrium. This is another proof for the existence of a stable long run relationship among the variables. The estimated coefficients of the short-run model indicate that education is the main contributor to real GDP per capita change followed by gross capital formation (one period lagged value) and government expenditure (one period lagged value). But, unlike its long run significant impact, health has no significant short run impact on the economy. Even its one period lag has a significant negative impact on the economy.

The above results have an important policy implication. The findings of this paper imply that economic performance can be improved significantly when the ratio of public expenditure on health services to GDP increases and when secondary school enrolment improves. Such improvements have a large impact on human productivity which leads to improved national output per capita. Hence policy makers and / or the government should strive to create institutional capacity that increase school enrolment and improved basic health service by strengthening the infrastructure of educational and health institutions that produce quality manpower. In addition to its effort, the government should continue its leadership role in creating  enabling environment that encourage better investment in human capital (education and health) by the private sector.
Impact of Grameen Bank Microcredit on Standard of Living in Rural Poor Women in Sariakandi Upazila of Bogra District
Authors: Shamim Md. Abu
Published: March 2020

The standard of living in many developing countries like Bangladesh especially rural area is not standard level or satisfied. The microcredit programs of Grameen Bank (GB) in Bangladesh have emerged as a strategy on standard of living and reduction poverty. They are also trying to remove poverty and unemployment and energetic poor people who want to engage in economic activities, the institution provides not only loan to them but also advice and monitoring. The aim of the study is to explore the impact of GB microcredit on standard of living of rural women in study area whom have already involved in its loan. As sample only 198 current microcredit fund receiver’s respondents from Sariakandi upazila under Bogra district were selected. Data were collected from six centers under two selected branches using questionnaire. Data were explained normally under descriptive method using simple statistical tools such as chi-square test and One-way ANOVA test and econometric model such as OLS regression. After analyzing data, results of the study show that there has a positive effect on savings, average monthly income, expenditure, average level of education of borrowers’ households, number of income earner and asset. The results of One-way ANOVA test indicate that there exists a significant relationship among some factors of standard of living with amount of loan of GB and Chi-square test is proved that microcredit of GB has also a positive contribution on improving standard of living in study area.
The Current Status of Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure of Islamic Shari-based Banking Companies in Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Md. Sumon , Neogy Taposh Kumar
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this study is to examine the current extent and any difference (if any) of CSR disclosure of Islamic Sharia-based banking companies in Bangladesh during the period of 2011-2015.  Content analysis is adopted to accumulate the data from company’s annual reports. The CSR checklist comprise of sixteen dimensions (including 85 items) of CSR activities i.e., ‘Environment’, Disaster management, ‘Sports, Shelter, Women, Disabled, Liberation war, Health, Education, Energy, Minorities, Employee, Product responsibility, IT, Community and Government. The study reveals that the grand mean disclosure of CSR information in annual report of Islamic banks is 25.89% with a standard deviation of 5.49%. Empirical evidence provides that there is statistically significant difference of CSR disclosure among Islamic Sharia-based banking companies in Bangladesh. But there is no significant difference of CSR disclosure of Islamic banking industry in Bangladesh year to year. Moreover, CSR disclosure of Islamic Shari-based banking companies is not diversified rather concentrated on some specific dimension and items of CSR. The study is mainly based on annual reports for the financial year 2011-2015 of Islamic Sharia-based banking companies in Bangladesh. Hence, the conclusion reached cannot be generalized.
A study of knowledge, attitude and practice on use of antibiotics and its resistance among the doctors and interns at urban tertiary care hospital: an interventional study
Authors: Kalyani Manjusha , Janagond Anand , Koshy Nimble , Cheriyan Roshy , Keshannanvar M. G. , Shalavadi Mallappa , Mangannavar Chandrashekhar V.
Published: March 2020

Background: Infections due to resistant micro-organisms considerably increase the mortality rate, treatment cost, disease spread and duration of illness. The development of antibiotic resistance (AMR) is increasing steadily increasing over the last 10-15 years, which is a real threat to disease management. Many studies states that about 20-50% of antibiotic use unnecessary so decreasing the use of antibiotics is the first step to curb the AMR.Methods: A questionnaire based prospective interventional study among the doctors. Systemic random sampling was applied. The pre tested structured questionnaire was used. Data’s were summarised in the excel sheet, analysed by proportions, percentages and other statistical methods like Student t test, Fisher test and Chi square test were used to check the association. The p>0.05 was considered as significant.Results: Out of 200 doctors, preliminary screening of 170 was included in the study and finally 156 participants were actively selected for analysis of results. Out of 156 participants, 55.1% were MBBS Intern and 44.9% were doctors. High significance (p=0.0001) were found between pre and post knowledge, attitude and practice of doctors.Conclusions: Further modes of studies have to perform to identify the determinants of attitude behaviour and motivation that lead people to use and misuse antibiotics. For effective outcome many more qualitative and quantitative studies are required. In addition, health care system should follow proper regulation and prescription policy as well as controls for prescription of antibiotic drugs.
Evaluation of anti-asthmatic and anti-cholinergic activity of ethanolic extract of Tectina grandis Linn. bark
Authors: Jaybhaye Deepali J. , Chaudhary Prashant S. , Chandra Shruti , Johar Sukhmeen
Published: March 2020

Background: Asthma is a chronic disease that affects approximately 300 million people worldwide. Tectona grandis Linn. bark, also known as Teak (English), is traditionally used to treat asthma. However, the scientific data on anti-asthmatic and anti-cholinergic of this plant has got little attention. An attempt has been based on ethanolic extract of bark of Tectona grandis Linn. shown a tremendous effect on asthma when comparative study was done with normal and treated group.Methods: The anti-asthmatic activity of a 95% ethanol and 5% distilled water extract of dried and fresh Tectona grandis Linn. bark, was evaluated against histamine and acetylcholine-induced preconvulsive dyspnea (PCD) in guinea pigs fasted for 24 h were exposed to an atomized fine mist of 2% histamine dihydrochloride and acetylcholine aerosol (dissolved in normal saline) using nebulizer at a pressure of 300 mmHg in the histamine chamber (24×14×24 cm, made of perplex glass. They were divided in groups Mepyramin (8 mg/kg) intraperitonially, atropine aerosol and Tectona grandis bark formulation (2.5, 5, 10 gm/kg) were administered orally 30 min prior to exposure. Animals, which did not develop typical asthma within 6 minutes, were taken as protected.Results: Ethanolic extract of Tectona grandis Linn. bark at 5 and 10 gm/kg significantly reduce bronchoconstriction as compared to control group along with significant mast cell stabilization activity.Conclusions: In conclusion, the present study shows that the ethanolic bark extract of Tectona grandis Linn. has potential antiasthamatic and antichlolinergic action in histamine and acetylcholine broncocontraction in guinea pigs.
Prescription pattern in cases of ischemic stroke in general medicine department in Government General Hospital, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh
Authors: Jagannath Suvvada Vamsi , Vijayalakshmi D.
Published: March 2020

Background: Stroke, as a one of the leading causes of mortality and disability, is also very preventable and curable disease. Pharmacotherapy plays an important role in prevention of first-ever stroke as well as secondary cerebrovascular accident. We aimed to evaluate the prescription pattern in cases of ischemic stroke and to check whether rationale prescription of drugs in ischemic stroke patients is being followed in our hospital.Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in inpatient department of general medicine in government general hospital, Kakinada for a period of six months from April to September 2018. A total of 306 prescriptions of ischemic stroke were selected randomly and prescriptions patterns were assessed and analyzed.Results: Out of the 306 cases, 183 were males (59.80%) and 123 were female (40.19%). Aspirin was given in 88.23% of the patients, Atorvastatin in 97.05%, Clopidogrel in 24.50%, antihypertensives in 67.64%, B complex in 88.23%, Pantoprazole in 85.29% of the patients. Physiotherapy was advised in 47.05% of the patients. Among anti hypertensives, Amlodipine was given in 73.91% patients.Conclusions: Anti hypertensives, lipid lowering agents like Atorvastatin along with anti-platelet drugs like Aspirin and Clopidogrel were commonly prescribed for ischemic stroke cases for treatment and secondary prevention. Antacids and Multivitamin tablets were given as concomitant drugs. Present study showed a rationale utilization of drugs in ischemic stroke patients.
A study of antibiotic used in paediatric inpatients at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, Manipur: a retrospective study
Authors: Devi Laitonjam Jonita , Valte Varkung , Joychandra Oinam
Published: March 2020

Background: The therapy of antibiotics among the paediatric patients may produce any type of adverse effects as the organs of infants and children are immature and the genetic constituents are also not fully known. The empirical use of antibiotic may also produce antibiotic resistance. Aim was to study the prescribing pattern of antibiotics among the paediatric patients.Methods: It was a retrospective, observational study for a period of six months. The collected data included age, sex, diagnosis and line of management. Generic name and average cost of treatment per patient was evaluated by using CIMS 2019 and Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojna. The descriptive statistics was applied for the detail data analysis.Results: Bed head tickets (BHTs) of 560 inpatients was examined. The common diagnosis were AGE (193; 34.4%) and ARI (60; 10.7%). The route of administration were oral 279 (49.8%) and parenteral 281 (50.1%). The duration of hospital stay were in between 5 days (141; 25.1%) to 7 days (61; 10.8%). The minimum and maximum age of the patient were 3 months and 12 years respectively. The most common antibiotic used was ceftriaxone and metronidazole. The number of patient received single antibiotic was 295 (52.6%) and multiple used was 265 (47.3%). The number of antibiotic prescribed from NLEM and Pariyojna were 9 and 13 respectively. The average cost of treatment per patient was Rs. 345.00 (CIMS) and Rs. 119.90 (Pariyojna) approximately.Conclusions: The antibiotics prescribed by generic name was not satisfactory. The proposal for wide awareness programme may be suggested to the concerned authority for improving the prescribing practice among the physicians at different levels.
Effect of methonolic extract of Vitex negundo on haloperidol induced catalepsy in albino mice
Authors: Kamlekar Sandeep Kumar , Gupta Sangita
Published: March 2020

Background: Plants are being used in traditional medicine since history of mankind. The knowledge of these medicinal plants has accrued in the course of many centuries leading to medicinal systems in India such as Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha. Objective: In the present study, we evaluated the anticataleptic efficacy of Vitex negundo, a polyherbal formulation in haloperidol induced catalepsy in mice.Methods: Five groups (n=6) of male albino mice were used in the study. Catalepsy was induced by i.p. administration of haloperidol (1 mg/kg). The degree of catalepsy (cataleptic score) was measured as the time the animal maintained an imposed posture. We compared the anticataleptic efficacy of Vitex negundo (50, 100, 200 mg/kg) with standard received Pheniramine maleate 10 mg/kg, i.p.Results: In vehicle treated animals, haloperidol (1 mg/kg. i.p.) produced the maximum catalepsy at 180 min (46.78±3.78 min). Standard treated as Pheniramine maleate 10 mg/kg, i.p. shows maximum at 120 min. 19.24±1.32. Test herb, i.p. Methanolic extract of Vitex negundo (50, 100, 200 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly potentiated haloperidol induced catalepsy at each time interval, in a dose dependent manner. At dose 50, 100 and 200mg/kg, extract of Vitex negundo (Linn.) roots showed maximum cataleptic score 12.34±0.78, 14.43±0.43 and 15.43±0.67 min, respectively at 120 minutes in haloperidol treated animals.Conclusions: The present study indicates that the methanolic extract of Vitex negundo reduces haloperidol-induced catalepsy in mice.
A case report of drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome induced by dapsone
Authors: A. R. Swathy , Dattatri A. N.
Published: March 2020

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a distinct, severe, idiosyncratic reaction to a drug characterized by a prolonged latency period. It is followed by a variety of clinical manifestations, usually fever, rash, lymphadenopathy, eosinophilia, and a wide range of mild-to-severe systemic presentations. Among sulfonamides, Dapsone, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim and sulfasalazine are the most common offending drugs. We report here a case of DRESS syndrome due to dapsone.
Competency based assessment in pharmacology: implications of changed recommendations in viva voce and internal assessment
Authors: Khilnani Gurudas , Khilnani Ajeet Kumar , Thaddanee Rekha
Published: March 2020

The competency based assessment (CBA) is an integral part of competency based medical education (CBME). It is important to discern the similarities and differences between CBME and traditional curriculum for developing effective implementation schedules and to identify opportunities for best use of the CBA in pharmacology training. CBA relies on assessment of core competencies and attitudes. The viva marks, to be decided at university level, are excluded from theory marks. An advantage of CBA is early entry of failed students into next phase of study. The areas of concern are, viva marks are included in practical marks further reducing ratio of practical to theory marks despite increase in total marks, and non-contribution of internal assessment marks to university marks for rank or grades. Multiple assessments using multiple tools in limited duration of 11 months would pose logistic problems and would require concerted efforts of faculty members for accomplishment.
Moderate to severe maternal anaemia in pregnancy and its impact on perinatal outcome in tertiary care hospital
Authors: Khatana Ashram , Verma Suniti , Sehra Ram Narain , Yadav Kanti
Published: March 2020

Background: Anaemia is the commonest medical disorder in pregnancy and has a varied prevalence, etiology and degree of severity in different populations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of maternal anaemia in pregnancy and its impact on perinatal outcome.Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted in department of obstetrics and gynecology JLN Hospital Ajmer, Rajasthan, India from October 2015 to December 2016. Total 325 pregnant women were included in the study who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and found to have moderate to severe anaemia.Results: Prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy was 80% in present study. Perinatal mortality was 13.3% in moderate anaemia and in severe anaemia 42%. In present study maximum 56% of cases were in the age group of 20-25 years, and maximum number of cases were primigravida (33.84%). Out of 225 cases of moderate anaemia only 50 cases (22.22%) had antenatal check-up once or twice. Out of 225 cases of moderate anaemia, 66.66% cases were rural and 33.33% cases were of urban group. Fetal outcome in present study was in form of 49.23% premature birth with 33.12% perinatal mortality.Conclusions: Maternal anaemia in pregnancy is associated with illiteracy, low socioeconomic status, multiparity, inadequate antenatal care and rural geographic area.  Severe anaemia was associated with high perinatal mortality.
Effect of low dose aspirin on maternal outcome in women at risk for developing pregnancy induced hypertension
Authors: Pradhan Madhusmita , V. Kishore S. , Champatiray Jyotiranjan
Published: March 2020

Background: Pre-eclampsia is not totally a preventable disease. It is found more related to chains of social ills such as poor maternal nutrition, limited or no antenatal care and poor reproductive education. However, some specific “high-risk” factors leading to pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) may be identified in individuals which include and not limited to young and elderly primigravida, multiple pregnancy, diabetes, Rh incompatibility, new paternity, pre-existing vascular or renal disease, family history of hypertension, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, obesity, thrombophilia. Low dose aspirin given in 2nd trimester in these high-risk women is anticipated to prevent the development of PIH.Methods: This prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, SCB MC and Hospital, Cuttack during November 2018 to October 2019. Pregnant women between the gestational age of 13th to 28th weeks were screened for risk factors and included in this study. Low dose aspirin of 60 mg daily till delivery was given to pregnant women who consented to be a part of study randomly with the other group having placebo.Results: Protienuric hypertension was high in control group who did not receive aspirin. Low dose aspirin significantly reduces PIH in high-risk group (3.48% in case versus 23.52% in control). Low dose aspirin was not associated with significant increase in placental bleeding. Low dose aspirin was generally safe for the fetus and new born infant with no evidence of an increased likelihood of bleeding.Conclusions: Low dose aspirin has a definite role in the prevention of PIH in high risk pregnancy. Low dose aspirin reduces the incidence of PIH. Low dose aspirin can be considered a safe drug without any deleterious side effect for mother and the fetus. Benefits of prevention of PIH, justifies its administration in women at high risk.
A study on maternal and perinatal outcome in pregnancy with oligohydramnios: study from a tertiary care hospital, Karnataka, India
Authors: Nabapure Shilpa , S. Rashmi P. , Prabhudeva Prema
Published: March 2020

Background: Oligohydramnios is described as a condition with decreased amniotic fluid volume relative to gestational age. It is a severe and common complication of pregnancy which is associated with increased maternal morbidity and adverse perinatal outcomes. This study was conducted to find out the significance of oligohydramnios in determining the maternal and perinatal outcome in pregnant women with oligohydramnios.Methods: The present study is a hospital-based study conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, of SSIMS and RC Davanagere, during the period between August 2018 to April 2019. Detailed clinical history was taken, AFI was measured using Phelan’s four quadrant ultrasound technique. All the information was entered in the proforma and analyzed.Results: The mean age group of the study participants was 26.36±4.46 years. Majority (51.9%) of them were primigravida. Gestational age, birth weight and abnormal Doppler study were found to have an association with the perinatal outcome. Perinatal mortality in the present study was 4%.Conclusions: Oligohydramnios is a frequent occurrence in obstetrics and this condition requires intensive surveillance and proper antenatal care.
Ovarian cystadenofibromas: a three cases report
Authors: Taheri Hafsa , Kholti Mohammed Reda , Hmila Asma , Saadi Hanane , Mimouni Ahmed
Published: March 2020

Ovarian cystadenofibromas is a benign ovarian tumor that typically affects women in their fifth decade. Its risk factors remain unknown. This case study report 3 cases of ovarian cystadenofibromas treated in our department. The patients are aged 21, 28 and 50 years-old. The clinical pictures were polymorphic but the pelvic ultrasound of the case patients showed cystic ovarian masses suspected of malignancy. Two patients underwent laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy, and the third one, aged 50, underwent laparoscopic adnexectomy. The anatomopathological study showed benign ovarian cystadenofibromas. The operating follow ups were simple. It represents a relatively rare tumor whose macroscopic aspect evokes ovarian cancer wrongly leading to an aggressive surgical attitude.
Rudimentary horn pregnancy: a rare entity
Authors: Jacob Sujamol , Karunakaran Lalithambica , Devasia Neena
Published: March 2020

Unicornuate uterus is the type 2 variety of mullerian duct anomaly resulting in unilateral agenesis or hypoplasia. The hypoplastic (Rudimentary) horn can be functioning or non-functioning and communicating or noncommunicating with the main uterine cavity. Pregnancy in the rudimentary horn is an extremely rare entity. It is often missed at ultrasound in the early trimester, presenting later with massive hemoperitoneum and shock from rupture of the horn.  A “high index of suspicion” is essential to derive at the correct diagnosis. Hence reporting this rare case for emphasizing the importance in early diagnosis and prompt management.
Impact of different centroid means on the accuracy of orthometric height modelling by geometric geoid method
Authors: Dare Oluyori P. , Okiemute Eteje S.
Published: March 2020

Background: Orthometric height, as well as geoid modelling using the geometric method, requires centroid computation. And this can be obtained using various models, as well as methods. These methods of centroid mean computation have impacts on the accuracy of the geoid model since the basis of the development of the theory of each centroid mean type is different. This paper presents the impact of different centroid means on the accuracy of orthometric height modelling by geometric geoid method.

Methods: DGPS observation was carried out to obtain the coordinates and ellipsoidal heights of selected points. The centroid means were computed with the coordinates using three different centroid means models (arithmetic mean, root mean square and harmonic mean). The computed centroid means were entered accordingly into a Microsoft Excel program developed using the Multiquadratic surface to obtain the model orthometric heights at various centroid means. The root means square error (RMSE) index was applied to obtain the accuracy of the model using the known and the model orthometric heights obtained at various centroid means.  

Results: The computed accuracy shows that the arithmetic mean method is the best among the three centroid means types.

Conclusions: It is concluded that the arithmetic mean method should be adopted for centroid computation, as well as orthometric height modelling using the geometric method.
Study of preventable causes of blindness in a tertiary care institute in Lucknow
Authors: Jauhari Nidhi , Chopra Deepak , Ahmad Siraj
Published: March 2020

Background: World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019, released the estimates which show that approximately 80% of the causes of blindness and severely reduced visual acuity are preventable and avoidable. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of preventable causes of blindness in an OPD setup in the city of Lucknow.

Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study was done from January, 2019 to March, 2019 at the ophthalmology department OPD, Dr Ram Manohar lohia hospital, Lucknow. Patient presenting with complains of Blurring of vision or blindness during the defined OPD days at the study place, sample size- 550. Convenience sampling, all the eligible patients who were attending the OPD on defined days during the study period.  

Results: The current study found the prevalence of blindness in the OPD based patients to be 13.5% and 25% (WHO and NPCB standards) respectively which is higher than the other reported statistics and found cataract to be the single most contributor of cause of blindness in accordance with other literature.

Conclusions: The study demonstrates that even after the implementation of a national program (NPCB), the prevalence of blindness continues to be on the higher side and cataract remains to the most common cause of preventable blindness.
Monostotic fibrous dysplasia of temporal bone: a case series and literature review
Authors: Gyawali Bigyan Raj , Pradhananga Rabindra Bhakta
Published: March 2020

Fibrous dysplasia is a benign, progressive fibro-osseus disease. Typically, there are three variants monostotic, polyostotic and McCune Albright syndrome. Monostotic variant being the commonest of all, affects mainly the craniofacial bones and ribs. Fibrous dysplasia affecting the temporal bone may be challenging at times. Here, we present our case series of three temporal bone fibrous dysplasias along with the literature review.
Terapia Gênica e Doping Genético: Diálogos Bioéticos e Biojurídicos
Authors: Bomtempo Tiago Vieira
Published: March 2020

A aplicação da engenharia genética no esporte desperta o debate com a criação dos atletas geneticamente modificados, a partir do doping genético. Nesse sentido, busca-se nestes estudos abordar o melhoramento genético no esporte, apresentando seus principais questionamentos bioéticos e bio-jurídicos. Para tanto, pesquisou-se autores em Biodireito, Bioética, Filosofia e em Genética, dado o caráter interdisciplinar que o tema exige. Assim, apresentou-se a distinção entre tratamento e melhoramento, com a terapia gênica e o doping genético, e, em seguida, adentrou-se nas questões bioéticas e jurídicas que o objeto da pesquisa envolve, de forma que, para ao final, o leitor possa refletir quais serão os impactos da genética aplicada ao rendimento esportivo e na sociedade. Os resultados desta pesquisa permitem concluir que a evolução é inerente ao homem, contudo, quando se trata da alteração genômica, torna-se imperiosa a reflexão dos impactos do aperfeiçoamento genético de forma a garantir iguais liberdades fundamentais no contexto do Estado Democrático de Direito. Com essa abordagem demonstra-se que a bioética é o eixo do diálogo e debate multidisciplinar que o tema envolve para a construção dos novos rumos da engenharia genética humana.
Modelo de toma de decisiones bioéticas en ciencias de la salud
Authors: Molina Montoya Nancy Piedad
Published: March 2020

La importancia de la toma de decisiones éticas en ciencias de la salud ha promovido la generación de esquemas que orientan este proceso. El objetivo es proponer un modelo teórico de toma de decisiones bioéticas. Se hizo una búsqueda y revisión de la literatura en bases de datos y bibliotecas electrónicas con palabras clave, se identificaron y analizaron once modelos de toma de decisiones éticas según parámetros establecidos y se incluyeron resultados de estudios sobre el tema. Los esquemas analizados plantean una toma de decisiones basada en la razón a partir de un número variable de pasos cognitivos y, en general, aportan pocos elementos para su aplicación práctica. Se planteó el Modelo de Integración Razón Emoción para la Toma de Decisiones Bioéticas en Ciencias de la Salud. Este modelo sintetiza los pasos cognitivos para tomar decisiones adecuadas, mediante la integración de la razón y la emoción, la posibilidad de aplicación de diversos marcos éticos y la puesta en juego de la competencia ética y las habilidades de pensamiento crítico.
Propósitos y desafíos de la bioética en salud pública
Authors: Cantú-Martínez Pedro César
Published: March 2020

Hoy en día es pertinente llevar a cabo reflexiones sobre los distintos ámbitos de actuación del ser humano. Con esta premisa es oportuno examinar las interacciones que denotan la bioética en la salud pública, al examinar sus propósitos y los desafíos que surgen de esta vinculación. Las actividades que se realizan en la salud pública se deben reflexionar desde la bioética de acuerdo con múltiples factores diferenciados como son el género, la cultura, el orden social, aspectos económicos, entre otros. Este análisis se debe realizar teniendo en cuenta los derechos humanos para promover una bioética institucional y social.
Consentimiento informado en la discapacidad: trastorno del espectro autista
Authors: Sanabria Barradas Beatriz , Linares Márquez Pascual , Granados Ramos Dora Elizabeth
Published: March 2020

El presente artículo muestra la importancia que tiene el consentimiento informado en los procesos de investigación científica y, por ende, la vulnerabilidad que enfrentan ante este procedimiento las personas con discapacidad. Se presenta la evolución del concepto del consentimiento informado en diferentes países de Iberoamérica y Estados Unidos. De igual manera, se abordan los diversos criterios que deben considerarse dentro del consentimiento informado, así como los tratados y declaraciones que deben tomarse en cuenta para no vulnerar los derechos humanos de los participantes en investigaciones científicas. Además, dentro de este dilema ético en nuestros tiempos, se aborda el trastorno del espectro autista (TEA), un trastorno del neurodesarrollo que, al presentar diversos grados de severidad, no permite que las personas con TEA puedan dar su opinión, aunado a esto que sean menores de edad, aspectos que los pone en condición de vulnerabilidad.
Liberal education in turbulent times: Policy, pedagogy and their effects in European comparison
Authors: Kelly Peter
Published: March 2020

Europe has seen a national populist turn in recent years, a movement away from liberal elites and the rise of 'post-truth' politics. While populist parties may have passed the high point of their success, their politics has had a considerable impact on the mainstream, drawing traditional
parties in populist directions. In this article, I consider the consequences of this for those of a liberal persuasion, who value openness and diversity and who are suspicious of those bringing simple solutions to complex problems. I reflect on the findings of a series of comparative education
policy and pedagogy studies that I have conducted with colleagues in northern Europe over the past ten years, and in their light, make a number of suggestions for how education can defend liberalism while taking the concerns of national populists seriously.
Methodological challenges for the qualitative researcher: The use of a conceptual framework within a qualitative case study
Authors: Gregory Elizabeth
Published: March 2020

This article presents the MERITS Plus model, a conceptual framework developed during qualitative research into the process of academic transition and the impact of educational choices upon learner identity. The article considers some of the methodological challenges faced by qualitative
researchers, and how effective the use of a conceptual framework might be in addressing these issues. The MERITS Plus model was developed and modified through two pilot studies and a piece of major fieldwork, the Learner, Identity and Transition Project (LITP), a qualitative case study conducted
in a college of further education in England. Empirical data were collected through semi-structured narrative interviews with 24 learners studying either an A level or a BTEC programme, and from a focus group with teaching staff. The MERITS Plus model is a multilayered approach, comprising,
first, a six-element framework (Motivations, Expectations, Reality, Identity, Transition, and Stories and Synthesis) used to analyse the data, and, second, the use of Bourdieu's thinking tools to examine the complexities raised by the data. By combining these approaches, the study was able
to present narratives directly by using the MERITS Plus model to create eight composite learner profiles drawn from the data to illustrate the range of different learner types found within one educational setting. Thus, the model is presented as a method of preserving the integrity of participant
voice collected via qualitative methods, while allowing a systematic analysis of narratives both as individual stories and as products of particular social contexts.
The Communicative Construction of Reality and Sequential Analysis. A Personal Reminiscence
Authors: Luckmann Thomas
Published: March 2020

This paper presents a historical view of the emergence of what is known as the communicative paradigm. Through a personal reminiscence of his long career, Thomas Luckmann entangles the main sources of what was a radical shift of the role of language and communication in the humanities and social sciences. In doing so, Luckmann shows that the epistemological and ontological assumptions on which the contemporary study of social interaction and communicative processes rely were practically non-existent half a century ago. While sociology and linguistics seemed to exist in separate universes during Luckmann’s student days, a dialogical approach to language and social life eventually appeared — for example, in ethnomethodology, conversational analysis and French structuralism — and laid the foundation to the (today taken for granted) idea that social realities are the result of human activities. Human social reality and the worldview that motivates and guides interaction are mainly constructed in communicative processes. If social reality is constructed in communicative interaction our most reliable knowledge of that reality comes from reconstructions of these processes. Such reconstructions have been greatly facilitated by technological innovation, such as tape— and video-recorder, which, alongside theoretical advancements, may explain the timing of the communicative turn. Finally, this paper marks the benefits of sequential analysis in enabling us to trace step-by-step the processes by which social reality is constructed and reconstructed.
Lembaga Perkreditan Desa as the economic and socio-cultural capital
Authors: Sadiartha Anak Agung Ngurah Gede
Published: March 2020

Amid the increasingly competitive competition among banking institutions today, the Village Credit Institution ‘Lembaga Perkreditan Desa’ (LPD) belonging to the Pakraman village in Bali is getting stronger. This scientific work discusses LPD as the economic and socio-cultural capital of Balinese society. As a result of qualitative research, the data obtained through literature review, observation and in-depth interviews with nine informants, namely the administrators of the Empowering Institute of LPD of Bali Province and managers LPD Kesiman, Denpasar; LPD Seminyak, Kuta-Badung; and LPD Beraban Kediri. The data analysis was done by a descriptive interpretation by using management theory and Bourdeau social practice theory. The results of the research indicate that as economic capital, LPD proved able to build entrepreneurship and empower local villagers of pakraman. As a social capital, LPD has its own value structure, has a social network and gained the trust of its customers. Furthermore, as a cultural capital, LPD is able to strengthen the tradition of local pakraman villagers and become part of the cultural pillars of Balinese society. It is expected that LPD strengthening will continue to be done according to the needs and development of Balinese people
Influence of credit risk on shareholder market value of commercial banks listed in Nairobi Securities Exchange
Authors: Kiambati Kellen
Published: March 2020

This study examines the influence of credit risk on the shareholder market value of commercial banks listed in the Nairobi Securities Exchange. A mixed-method approach and concurrent design were used in this study. Logistic regression was performed to ascertain the influence of credit risk on shareholder market value of commercial banks listed in the Nairobi Securities Exchange as a quantitative method and processes tracing as a qualitative approach to trace the causal mechanism by which credit risk contributes to shareholder market value. This research demonstrated that (i)there is a relationship between credit risk and shareholder market value among the commercial banks listed in NSE; (ii) Wald (1) =41.475, p=.000, sig<.05, 2-tailed is below the permissible value of likelihood above which null hypothesis is accepted. The study concludes that there is a relationship between credit risks and Shareholders Market Value in commercial banks listed in NSE.
Analyzing the effect of financial reward, personal cost and reporting channel on whistleblowing intentions utilizing an experimental study
Authors: Utami Ni Made Mega Abdi , Irianto Gugus , Prihatiningtias Yeney Widya
Published: March 2020

This study aims to determine the effect of financial rewards (given and not given), personal costs (low and high) and reporting channels (anonymous and non-anonymous) on whistleblowing intentions. This study also analyzes the interaction effects among financial reward and personal cost, financial reward and reporting channel as well as personal cost and reporting channel on whistleblowing intentions. Participants in this study involve 65 finance and accounting employees of state universities in Bali. This research employs a 2x2x2 experimental design. The results of this study indicate that whistleblowing intentions are greater when given financial rewards compared to not given financial rewards, in low personal cost compared with a high personal cost, reported through anonymous reporting channels than in non-anonymous reporting channels. The results of the interaction effect indicate that greater whistleblowing occurs when given a financial reward (case at a low personal cost), through non-anonymous reporting channels. The results also confirm that higher whistleblowing intentions appear in a low personal cost through anonym reporting channels.
Factors affecting customer behavior in telecommunication industry
Authors: Rahmoun Mbarek
Published: March 2020

Marketing and strategy research has given a lot of importance to the study of product and service quality improvement. This has been widely studied in the literature as an appropriate competitive strategy to ensure customer satisfaction in the marketplace and gain a sustainable competitive advantage. In this paper, first, we have opted for an extensive review of marketing literature, quality of service and consumer satisfaction. Next, we propose to determine the factors that may affect customer satisfaction in the telecommunications industry in Tunisia. Indeed, each organization chooses to succeed in its strategy of satisfying its customers and to prevent the risk of losing them. Our empirical results indicate that most customers are satisfied with the quality of service provided to them, and most customers believe that Tunisie Telecom's service quality is above their expectations. Quality of reception at the counters of Tunisie Telecom's agencies is the key element for the success of the quality improvement project and is the major factor that can strongly influence client satisfaction and behavior.
Effect of tax penalties, tax audit, and taxpayers awareness on corporate taxpayers’ compliance moderated by compliance intentions
Authors: Rahmayanti Nida Putri , Sutrisno T. Sutrisno , Prihatiningtias Yeney Widya
Published: March 2020

This study aims to empirically examine the impact of tax penalties, tax audits, and taxpayers’ awareness of corporate taxpayer compliance and the role of compliant intentions as the moderating variable in its correlation. The analytical method used is the Multiple Linear Regression (Multiple Regression Analysis) and the Moderated Regression Analysis (MRA). The population of this study is the corporate taxpayers in North Banjarmasin Tax Office in 2019 with a sample of 142 corporate rate taxpayers. The sampling method used is convenience sampling. The results show that tax penalties, tax audits, and taxpayers’ awareness positively affect corporate taxpayer compliance. However, the compliant intention is unable to moderate the effect of fines, tax audits, and taxpayers’ awareness toward corporate taxpayer compliance. This is due to the applied penalties and tax audits following the taxation laws and the corporate taxpayer’s awareness of the importance of taxation as the source of state income. The purposes of this research are to provide inputs and references for the tax authorities and taxpayers, to examine further about tax penalties and tax audits that have been implemented, and to raise awareness among taxpayers for complying with taxes. Then, this research is influenced by external factors and internal factors, namely penalty sanctions, tax audits, and awareness of taxpayers who make taxpayers compliant with taxes, so that the presence or absence of intentions will continue to make taxpayers obedient to taxes.