bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Culturing Chlorella Vulgaris and Desmodesmus Quadricauda v1
Authors: Nedbal Jakub
Published: March 2020

This protocol describes the steps required for maintaining a healthy culture of Chlorella vulgaris and Desmodesmus quadricauda. It uses ½ SŠ Growth Medium (0.5 g/l). The cells are grown until saturation or when a new split is needed. At the lowest light level, the cell culture split should take place at least once every two weeks.
Bionano genome mapping from animal tissue v1
Authors: J Etherington Graham , Heavens Darren , Baker David , Lister Ashleigh , McNelly Rose , Garcia Gonzalo , Clavijo Bernardo , Macaulay Iain , Haerty Wilfried , Di Palma Federica
Published: March 2020

Bionano genome map protocol
Counting Microalgae Culture Density v1
Authors: Nedbal Jakub
Published: March 2020

Counting culture cell density offers a reliable way of consistend seeding density for freshly inoculated cultures and allows tracking the growth of the cultures. Cell densiry counting, as described in this protocol, is performed manually under the microscope in a Neubauer hemocytometer. .
Brain Dissection of Post-natal Mice v1
Authors: Institute for Brain Science Allen
Published: March 2020

This protocol describes the procedure for removal and embedding of the post-natal mouse brain. Note: Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute Of Mental Health of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number U19MH114830. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
Leica SP8 Confocal Imaging v1
Authors: Institute for Brain Science Allen
Published: March 2020

This protocol describes the basic setup and scanning using the Leica SP8 confocal microscope of fluorescently-labeled mouse brain tissue sections mounted on positively charged 1” x 3” microscope slides. Note: Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute Of Mental Health of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number U19MH114830. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
Populating the NCBI pathogen metadata template v2
Authors: Timme Ruth , Balkey Maria , Wolfgang William , Strain Errol
Published: March 2020

PURPOSE: Guidance on how to populate NCBI's Pathogen metadata package, maximizing interoporability for foodborne pathogen surveillance. SCOPE: This protocol provides detailed instructions for populating the core metadata fields within the Pathogen metadata package.
Beyond Legal Status: Exploring Dimensions of Belonging among Forced Migrants in Istanbul and Vienna
Authors: Rottmann Susan Beth , Josipovic Ivan , Reeger Ursula
Published: March 2020

Migrants with precarious legal statuses experience significant structural exclusion from their host nations but may still feel partial belonging. This article explores two dimensions potentially relevant for this group’s sense of belonging: city-level opportunity structures and public political discourses. Specifically, we examine perceptions of belonging among forced migrants with similarly precarious legal statuses located in Istanbul and Vienna. Drawing from semi-structured interviews, we argue that opportunity structures in the cities provide a minimal sense of social normalness within a period of life otherwise considered anomalous or exceptional. Any articulations of belonging in this context however remain inherently tied to the conditions of legal limbo at the national level. With regard to public political discourses, migrants display a strong awareness of the role of religion within national debates on culture and integration. In a context where religion is discussed as a mediator of belonging, we found explicit affirmations of such discourses, whereas in a context where religion is discussed as a marker of difference, we found implicit compliance, despite feelings of alienation. Overall, this article shows the importance of differentiating belonging, and of cross-regional comparisons for highlighting the diverse roles of cities and public political discourses in facilitating integration.
“Home Is Where I Spend My Money”: Testing the Remittance Decay Hypothesis with Ethnographic Data from an Austrian-Turkish Community
Authors: Meyer Silke
Published: March 2020

Remittances—money sent back by migrants to their place of origin—are considered to be both economic and social practices mapping out a transnational space of migration. By sending and receiving money, objects, ideas, and social norms, migrants and non-migrants strengthen their social ties and express their multiple belongings. Remittances can thus be read as a practice of multi-local participation and inclusion. When remittance develops a negative trend, the remittance decay hypothesis thus concludes a shift in belonging: The longer migrants stay in their host country and build a life there, the less they remit. In this article, the remittance decay hypothesis is tested with ethnographic data from interviews and participant observation in the migration nexus between Uşak, Turkey, and Fulpmes, Austria. Remittance to Turkey has declined markedly in the last two decades from a record high of 574 USD million in September 1998 to a record low of 11 USD million in August 2019. Ethnographic data with members of three generations of Turkish-Austrians in Fulpmes can help to explain this process from a diachronic perspective: for changing remittance practices and a transformation in remittance scripts, e.g., as investment, compensation, help, gift or charity donation, demonstrate that there is more to the story than a fading sense of belonging.
The Great Secession: Ethno-National Rebirth and the Politics of Turkish–German Belonging
Authors: Özvatan Özgür
Published: March 2020

Germany is facing a contemporary mainstreaming of the far right, which has a long tradition of wanting “Turks out!” Turkish immigrants have been the main strangers in Germany following the guest-worker treaty signed in 1961, physically close as friends, yet culturally distant as foes. From September 2015 onwards, German–Turkish politics of belonging, the Turkish issue, underwent a contentious period resulting in secessions between German and Turkish authorities in September 2017. Against this background, this article asks: How did mainstream political actors in Germany emplot the Turkish issue while a far-right challenger party sought to establish a far-right narrative of ethno-national rebirth? The temporal unfolding of the Turkish issue is explored by drawing on media analysis (n = 1120), interpretive process-tracing and narrative genre analysis of claims raised by political actors in German and Turkish newspapers. In order to visualize how the Turkish issue evolved between 2000 and 2017 in media discourse, 546 articles in the mainstream quality newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung were collected. The Great Secession period between 2015 and 2017 was selected for an in-depth case study. To conduct interpretive process-tracing and narrative genre analysis of this case, another 574 articles in the German Süddeutsche Zeitung and Turkish Hürriyet were analysed. In so doing, this article contributes to (1) the study of belonging and identity by adopting a novel approach to boundary studies, combining narrative genre analysis with Habermas’ communicative action theory, and (2) the study of political strategies of adapting, ignoring or demarcating far-right contenders by, again, introducing a narrative approach to political communication and mobilization processes. The analysis shows that, in the first stage of the Great Secession period, inclusionary and exclusionary boundaries competed, while in later stages inclusionary boundaries were cast aside by exclusionary boundaries after reputable mainstream party-political actors adopted and thus legitimized far-right story elements.
Transnationalism and Belonging: The Case of Moroccan Entrepreneurs in Amsterdam and Milan
Authors: Solano Giacomo , Vacca Raffaele , Gagliolo Matteo , Jacobs Dirk
Published: March 2020

Research on migrant transnationalism has mostly focused on particular transnational activities, their salience in various contexts and populations, and their relationship with migrant incorporation. Less attention has been paid to the interplay between the different domains of transnationalism (economic, political, and socio-relational) and to the way in which they affect migrants’ identity. This study investigates whether and how one domain of migrant transnationalism—transnational entrepreneurship—influences migrants’ (1) transnational involvement in other domains and (2) sense of belonging to different social groups and places. Focusing on the case of Moroccan entrepreneurs in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Milan, Italy, we compare transnational migrant entrepreneurs, whose business is based on cross-border relationships and exchanges, with domestic migrant entrepreneurs, who are active exclusively in the destination country. Combining quantitative and qualitative data, we find that transnational entrepreneurs differ from domestic entrepreneurs mostly in terms of socio-relational transnational involvement. On the other hand, transnational entrepreneurship does not substantially change transnational practices in other domains or sense of belonging among Moroccan migrants.
Cellular Automata Intersection Model
Authors: Vranken Tim Peter Erich , Schreckenberg Michael
Published: March 2020

This paper introduces a cellular automaton design of intersections and defines rules to model traffic flow through them, so that urban traffic can be simulated. The model is able to simulate an intersection of up to four streets crossing. Each street can have a variable number of lanes. Furthermore, each lane can serve multiple purposes at the same time, like allowing vehicles to keep going straight or turn left and/or right. The model also allows the simulation of intersections with or without traffic lights and slip lanes. A comparison to multiple empirical intersection traffic data shows that the model is able to realistically reproduce traffic flow through an intersection. In particular, car following times in free flow and the required time value for drivers that turn within the intersection or go straight through it are reproduced. At the same time, important empirical jam characteristics are retained.
Событие свободы: опыт деконструкции
Authors: Коктыш Кирилл
Published: March 2020

Эпоха Модерна состоялась как эпоха свободы: последняя превратилась не просто в концепт, но и в превалирующий язык описания политической реальности. Более того, таких “языков свободы” можно выделить несколько. Опираясь на когнитивно-институциональный подход, в рамках которого содержательное измерение концепта рассматривается в неразрывной связи с институтами, им порождаемыми, автор выделяет несколько дискурсов свободы, заметно отличающихся друг от друга и в части телеологии, и в части ценностной системы координат и даже в части социального субъекта, которому предписывается обладание свободой. Так, английская свобода этатична, тогда как французская – антиэтатична, субъектом английской свободы является индивид, в то время как французской и немецкой – общество. Ставя перед собой задачу выделить функциональный “исходный код” свободы, автор приходит к выводу, что большинство общепризнанных концепций свободы на самом деле могут быть сведены к интерпретации последней как события, которое меняет привычные каузальные связи между освобождающимся социальным субъектом и остальной политической реальностью. В свою очередь, эти каузальные связи в духе Гоббса вполне могут быть сведены к отношениям собственности, на которую претендуют три типа институциональных субъектов, три типа корпораций. Это корпорации власти, чей функционал – принятие решений, корпорации, производящие нормы и правила, включая сюда прежде всего актуальную систему ценностей, и экономические корпорации. Взаимодействие последних, задавая структуру ресурсного обмена, тем самым и формирует архитектуру политического ландшафта, в рамках которого будет доминировать один из трех типов корпораций. Нарушение привычной структуры обмена и замена ее на иную, очевидно, и будет тем самым “событием свободы”. В рамках статьи автор рассматривает внутреннюю логику этих процессов, обнаруживая их тесные корреляции с теорией обмена социальных капиталов Этциони и теорией социальных контрактов Хиршмана.
Феномен тоталитаризма: выход в ХХI век
Authors: Оганисьян Юлий
Published: March 2020

Тоталитаризм не отошел в историю вместе с ХХ в. Более того, он расширил политическое пространство своего влияния до глобальных масштабов, отличаясь вместе с тем по ряду существенных признаков от феномена, омрачившего историю минувшего столетия. Обосновывая эти выводы, автор критически анализирует базовую – дескриптивную – модель тоталитаризма, которая сложилась в западной науке на основе изучения фашизма в Италии, нацизма в Германии, сталинизма в СССР. За исключением реликтовых модификаций тоталитаризм как национально-государственное явление остался в минувшем веке. Но глобализация открыла ему новые пути в ХХI в., оставив в прошлом однопартийные диктатуры, массовый террор, культ вождей и прочие его свойства, описанные базовой моделью. Отошла в прошлое и замкнутая парадигма, в которой формировалась эта модель: “либеральная демократия – тоталитаризм”. После развала СССР дилемма разрешилась становлением тоталитаризма либерального типа. Возглавляемые США, либерально-демократические режимы с конца ХХ в. навязывают западную форму демократии остальному миру с помощью необъявленных войн, цветных революций, политического давления, экономических санкций. Воспроизводство новых превращений тоталитаризма обеспечивает технологический прогресс, оснащающий его неизвестными ранее средствами тотального контроля и насилия, которые позволяют манипулировать политикой многих государств мира, их партий и правительств, регулировать деятельность интернациональных организаций. Трансформация тоталитаризма в ХХI в. происходит в общем процессе обновления социально-политического устройства мира. Ведущие тенденции этого процесса, полагает автор, не отменяют возможную перспективу установления тоталитарного миропорядка, но и не делают ее фатальной.
Evaluation of Sweet Potato (Ipomea batata l.) Varieties for Total Storage Root Yield in South and South East Zones of Tigray, Ethiopia
Authors: Amare Birhanu , Abay Fetien , Tsehaye Yemane
Published: March 2020

Seven sweet potato varieties (Bellela, Kabode, Kulfo, LO, Temesgen, Tulla and Vitae) were tested in southern and eastern zones of Tigra, Ethiopiay in 2012 to evaluate their total root yield potential.  Randomized complete block design with three replications was used for the experiment Yield data was analyzed using combined ordinary analysis of variance and the additive main effect and multiplication interaction effect model (AMMI). The combined analysis of variance across locations showed significant variation among genotypes, locations and the genotypes by locations interaction for the total storage root yield (t/ha). Based on this, the superior mean total root yield (26.82 t/ha) was obtained at Kukufto testing location while the inferior (13.45 t/ha) was at Rarhe. Similarly, among the genotypes, LO gave the highest mean total root yield (30.9 t/ha), while bellela gave the lowest (7.78 t/ha). The AMMI analysis for the total storage root yield also showed highly significant difference for genotypes, locations and the genotypes by locations interaction components The contribution of genotype, location and genotype by location interaction to the total variation in root yield was about 54.1%, 21.4% and 19.4%, respectively. The genotype main effect contributed more to the total variability indicating that the variation was largely due to the inheritance of genotype effect. The genotype by location interaction was further partitioned using AMMI model and the first two principal components explained 100% of the total variability. The model captured 83.4 % of the interaction sum of squares with the first Interaction Principle Component Axis (IPCA) (in 58.3% of the interaction degrees of freedom) and 16.6% by the second IPCA axis (with 41.7% of the G x E d.f). AMMI biplot view of this study identified kukufto as best testing location and LO, Tulla and Kulfo as best genotypes for south and south east zones of Tigray region.
A Conceptual Framework for Understanding Customer Satisfaction in Banking Sector: The Mediating Influence of Service Quality and Organizational Oath
Authors: Saha Amitav , Hasan K. M. Sabbir , Uddin Md. Salah
Published: March 2020

With the economic intensification of a country is on accelerating mode, role of banking industry is also important in this growth. In a hyper-competitive market all commercial banks in Bangladesh are faced with challenges of retaining the existing and attracting new customers. The aim of the research is to take the opinions of different peoples in Rajshahi city, Bangladesh about the service quality in different commercial banks. Samples of 51 customers who have their bank account with different commercial banks having operations in Rajshahi city are selected on convenience basis. This paper presents an original survey in the banking sector of Rajshahi City, Bangladesh. To achieve the main goal of the research, the authors of the paper developed questionnaire designed for bank clients. After going for long analysis we have found that five factors playing important role in order to make customer happy regarding the banking services. Therefore, customer satisfaction is the key for many banks to stay alive in competition.

JEL Code: M1, M0, M31
Controlled, Uncontrolled Communication, Brand Name and Brand Attitude: A Relational Study on Cellular Telecom Sector of Bangladesh
Authors: Ahmed Jubayer , Rouf Md. Abdur
Published: March 2020

The main objectives of the study is to examine the impact of communication variables like controlled communications, uncontrolled communications and brand name on brand attitude in the context of Grameen Phone Telecom. A systematic sampling method was adopted to collect data from the respondents. A total number of 100 questionnaires were distributed, and 93 completed (usable) questionnaires were considered for statistical analyses and research hypotheses testing. The researcher used statistical techniques like mean, standard deviation, correlation and regression analysis. The results of regression analysis are show that controlled communication and brand name are statistically and significantly associated to brand attitude. These results provided full support to research hypotheses 2 and 3. Uncontrolled communication failed to enter into the regression table which indicates that uncontrolled communication is not statistically and significantly associated to brand attitude. The results of regression analysis provided no support for research hypothesis-1.

JEL Classification: M31, M37
Tax Compliance in Bangladesh – A Structural Equation Modelling Approach
Authors: Hasan Rashedul , Mohammad Niaz , Alam Mohammad Faridul
Published: March 2020

Tax compliance behavior has been researched at different times in various parts of the world using various theories. This research has focused on the psychological aspects of tax compliance behavior by applying the theory of planned behavior (TPB) proposed by Ajzen. 300 taxpayers were studied using a questionnaire based on Likert scale, and the results were analyzed using structural equation modelling. Results found from SEM approach indicate that subjective norm has a significant influence on tax compliance behavior while intention mediates it and moderated by religion. Attitude and perceived behavioral control were found to have a significant influence on intention. Individual taxpayers are selected from the capital, and thus findings derived from the sample might not be generalizable for all individual taxpayers in Bangladesh. The results of this study might provide some insight to the tax non-compliance problem in Bangladesh and help authorities to design strategies to motivate taxpayers to comply with existing fiscal policies. Tax compliance issues have been explored from various perspectives in Bangladesh. Lack of significant influence on subjective norm toward taxpayer intention indicates that social and peer is yet to make a substantial contribution to improving tax compliance. This study has introduced structural equation modelling technique to explore the moderating influence of religion on individual taxpayers in the context of Bangladesh.
Effect of Rural-Urban Migration on Education and Economics Development
Authors: Iderawumi Abdulraheem Mukhtar , Abiodun Iderawumi Mubarakat
Published: March 2020

Over the years, demands for education have become progressively more insistent, more persuasive and complex. The kind of education given impinges on society in a variety of ways to meet an ever-widening range of needs. This research is to examine the effect of rural-urban migration on education and economic development with reference to Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo State. The man and specific motives are to find out the causes of rural-urban migration how it affects the students’ performance and aimed at examining its effect on productivity level of Ibarapa East Local Government Area. The instrument used for collecting the data is the questionnaire. Hypotheses were formulated, whereas simple percentage methods were used to analyze the data. The finding shows that there are the different impacts of rural-urban migration on education and development of Ibarapa East Local Government causes short fall of the labour force, short of qualified and low productivity especially in the agricultural sector. Rural-urban migration contributes to the high rate of unemployment. It increases the number of juvenile delinquencies crimes and other social vices in the society, and it has effect on the educational development of the study area. Based on all the findings, recommendation was made that the government should provide social and infrastructural facilities such as good road network, regular supply of electricity and so on for rural dwellers. And also with the various youth programs, it could be possible to reduce rural-urban migration, most especially when the young ones are exposed to sustainable livelihood activities that they could embark upon.
The Impact of CRM on Innovation Capabilities: A Study on Industries of Pakistan
Authors: Ahmed Farhan , Siddiqui Danish Ahmed
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this research is to determine the impact of CRM on innovative capabilities where the comparative study has been conducted between the services and manufacturing industries in Pakistan. For this purpose, the factors affecting CRM include information sharing, customer involvement, long-term partnership, joint problem solving, and technology based CRM while for measuring the innovative capabilities, product innovation, process innovation, and service innovation has been used. The data collected from 60 employees working in different service and manufacturing firms in Karachi. The results show that there is a significant impact on customer involvement, joint problem solving and technology based CRM on innovation capabilities of firms. It is suggested to refrain from customer involvement because it is observed that involving the customers negatively influences the innovation capabilities of manufacturing industry and thus, it has been recommended for companies to abstain from drawing in customers. The research also suggests adding supplier integration to form more effective innovations programs.
Living Links Connecting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Small-scale Farmers and Agricultural Biodiversity
Authors: Bragdon Susan H.
Published: March 2020

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2030 adopted by the global community in September 2015 are applicable to all countries with the commitment “that no one is left behind.” As an agenda for “people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership”, Agenda 2030 provides a vision for people and planet-centered, human rights-based, and gender-sensitive sustainable development. It promises “more peaceful and inclusive societies” which are free from fear and violence.

Small scale farmers and agricultural biodiversity are critical to the achievement of aspects of most of the SDGs. In addition to being essential for the resilience and stability of agricultural production systems and our ability to adapt to climate change and other stressors; agricultural biodiversity is fundamental to the livelihoods, health and nutrition of billions Despite its importance to the health of both people and the planet, this broad understanding of what agricultural biological diversity is and the critical role played by its custodians, gets no explicit mention in the SDGs. In fact, awareness of this is low outside specialized institutions and agreements and explicit mention of both is rare in the context of sustainable development

This paper uses the example of small-scale farmers and agricultural biodiversity to illustrate how they are the living links amongst the SDGs as well as being critical components in their achievement and to the vision of Agenda 2030.
Generación semiautomática de red semántica para describir comunidades víctimas del conflicto armado colombiano
Authors: Soto Mejía José , Gómez Suta Manuela , Zuluaga Ramírez Carlos Mauricio , Chavarro Porras Julio Cesar
Published: March 2020

La situación de violencia en Colombia ha producido dinámicas que escapan al control del Estado y dificultan la construcción de la agenda pública de las instituciones estatales, ya que estas poseen limitaciones para describir el entorno social y político que influye en el territorio. Para suplir estas limitaciones, es pertinente generar redes semánticas que describan información sobre las comunidades víctimas del conflicto armado. Lo anterior, permitirá generar un insumo que las instituciones y autoridades locales puedan emplear para reconocer pilares en la formación de políticas públicas coherentes a las necesidades de cada comunidad. En el presente artículo, se expone el proceso para la generación semiautomática de una red semántica a partir del tratamiento de datos textuales. Para tal fin, se han empleado herramientas de minería de textos y técnicas de análisis multivariado. La red semántica generada es una primera aproximación para la descripción de las características del caso de estudio de la comunidad de Arauca durante los años 2013-2018.
Development of a Model of the Regional Economic System of the Subject of the Russian Federation
Authors: Zhuravlev D. M.
Published: March 2020

Purpose: development of an economic-mathematical model for quantifying the economic processes of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation as part of the implementation of regional strategic planning procedures as an instrument for solving the problems of modernizing the Russian economy. To achieve this goal, the following tasks were solved: requirements for the model were formulated; composition fixation and categorization of economic processes completed; the layout of numerical indicators; justified the use of the modeling method; the proof of model performance.

Methods: in the study of the problem, the search and development of solutions, methods of comparative analysis, economic and mathematical modeling (regression analysis, correlation analysis, factor analysis, index methods), statistical data processing methods, as well as specially developed application software were used. The regional economic system is considered as a structure that includes a number of autonomous subsystems, each of which is characterized by certain objectively measurable indicators.

Results: an economic-mathematical model of the regional economic system of the subject of the Russian Federation has been developed, the functionality of which is sufficient to justify causal relationships between indicators characterizing its current state. Seven systemic economic processes are formalized, the corresponding pairs of «factor-indicator» are arranged, where the factor is an indicator directly controlled by regional authorities, and the indicator mainly shows the macroeconomic quality and dynamics of the process. The proof of the model’s performance was carried out by the experimental method, including in the calculations the indicators of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation that are part of the North-West, Volga and North Caucasus federal districts.

Conclusions and Relevance: applying the developed methodological and practical approaches in practice, it is possible to reasonably solve the problems of regional strategic planning, that is, to form a system of priority long-term guidelines that can be achieved using the appropriate set of measures. It is assumed that the applied solution developed for the purposes of this study, subject to its refinement and adjustment to the tasks of a particular region, can become the core of a development management decision support system.
Hematological profile of sickle cell disease in Chhattisgarh
Authors: Verma Ashish , Maheshwari Basant , Rath Debapriya
Published: March 2020

Background: Sickle cell disease hemoglobinopathy gets inherited in autosomal recessive pattern. In sickle cell disease substitution of amino acid valine for glutamic acid at the sixth position on beta globin chain takes place resulting in sickled hemoglobin which is a hemoglobin tetramer.Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in the Sickle Cell Institute, Raipur, India, and Department of Pharmacology in collaboration with Department of Biochemistry, Pt. J.N.M. Medical College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India, from February 2018 to June 2018. Patients included were in the steady state for a long period of time without any symptoms related to sickle cell disease or any other diseases which could affect hematological parameters. Subjects transfused in the last three months were excluded. Student t test and Pearson Correlation Coefficient test was done on stat pages and socscistatistics calculators. P-value<0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results: A total of 50 subjects of sickle cell disease homozygous (SS) were studied for hematological parameters. The mean age±SD of 50 subjects were 13.3±9.24 years. Out of 50 subjects, 35 were males and 15 were females. Total RBC count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) was low in present study. Significant inverse correlation was found in females between HbA2 and HbF, p=0.01, while it was insignificant and negatively correlated in males being 0.23.Conclusions: Sickle cell disease homozygous is a common and challenging health problem of Chhattisgarh population.
A study on awareness and disposal practices of unused and expired medicines by consumers
Authors: D. Bhavika , Vaseem Ayesha , Singh C. Sunil Pal
Published: March 2020

Background: Hazards to the environment due to improper drug disposal practices is an issue of concern. The prescription drugs, disposed into trash /sewage, consequently enter into surface waters and contaminate even drinking water. In view of the potential hazards posed due to improper storage and disposal of medicines, evaluation of the awareness of the consumers and educating them about proper disposal methods is required. The aim of present study was to evaluate the awareness and practice of drug disposal among the population.Methods: A cross sectional, observational study was conducted at Rural Health Centre (RHTC) of Kamineni Academy of Medical Sciences and Research Centre with the patients visiting the RHTC as the study subjects. A predesigned questionnaire was used to evaluate the awareness and disposal practices of unused and expired medicines by the respondents.Results: On analysis it was observed that 80 (57%) of the respondents procure medicines from health care centre. A total of 97 (69%) respondents possess unused/leftover medicines at home, 54 (39%) of the respondents mentioned the reason to be due to self discontinuation. Among the class of drugs left unused antibiotics constituted 13%, antipyretics 6%, analgesics 6%. 49% of the respondents dispose unused medicines in domestic trash, 24% flush down toilet/sink. A majority of 121 (86%) opined that awareness must be made created.Conclusions: In present study it was observed that many of the respondents possessed leftover medicines and were unaware of the hazards of improper disposal of medicines. Thus, there is a need for proper educational and regulatory interventions.
Lipid profile among controlled and uncontrolled type-2 diabetic patients in a rural tertiary care center: a comparative study
Authors: Gangadhar Manu , Muthahanumaiah Narasimhamurthy K.
Published: March 2020

Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the major health problem and endemic with rapidly increasing prevalence in both developed and developing countries. It has strong association with dyslipidaemias in relation to glycaemic control and duration of the disease. Dyslipidaemias make diabetic patients more susceptible to coronary artery disease (CAD) which is the major cause of increased mortality and morbidity. Objectives were to estimate the blood glucose levels and lipid profiles among diabetics and to compare the lipid profiles among controlled and uncontrolled diabetic subjects.Methods: A cross sectional study was done including 100 diabetic subjects aged between 40 to 60 years of either sex. Patients were classified into 2 groups with 50 subjects in each group as per their glycemic index. Group 1 was controlled diabetic patients (HbA1c≤7.5%) and Group 2 was uncontrolled diabetic patients (HbA1c>7.5%). Venous blood samples were collected from the subjects. The serum was used for analyzing FBS, PPBS, HbA1c and lipid profiles.Results: FBS, PPBS, HbA1c, total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL were more in females than male patients but the mean values were not significant statistically except FBS and total cholesterol. All the lipid parameters were elevated among uncontrolled diabetic patients compared to controlled diabetic patients which was statistically significant.Conclusions: Present study concluded that the blood glucose levels and lipid parameters were elevated among uncontrolled diabetics compared to controlled diabetics strongly depicting the co-relation between the glycemic levels and lipid abnormalities. Patients should be educated to monitor regularly and control blood glucose and lipid levels.
Knowledge, attitudes and practices of medical researchers toward authorship in scientific journals
Authors: More Balaji D. , More Anju B. , Sutar Harshad
Published: March 2020

Background: The knowledge, attitudes and practices of scientific authorship vary across different regions. We conducted this study to understand this variation among medical researchers in India.Methods: An anonymous web-based researcher-survey invited all faculty, researchers and PhD students at Pacific institute of Medical sciences, Udaipur, India. The study design and the questionnaire were approved by the institutional ethics committee.  Basic information on study was given to obtain consent for participation. The 30 questions on authorship experience and related issues were based on the statements in International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) and other national and international recommendations on authorship. Participants reported their authorship experiences and answered multiple choice questionnaires.Results: The response rate was 36.36% among the participants, who were post-graduate with up to 10 years of research experience. About 62.5% had not been appropriately acknowledged as authors at some point during their career. Contributors (authorship) and ethical peer review is perceived as the key principle of research integrity. Though, single authorship was regarded as more significant, interdisciplinary management of diseases increases number of co-authors. A platform to challenge authorship, declaration of contribution in authorship and shared responsibility of co-authors in case of fraudulent publication was majority opinion.Conclusions: Almost 50 of the participant medical researchers had knowledge of formal authorship requirements. Majority agreed with the criteria would help in decreasing the authorship dispute in the medical research. There is need for awareness and continuous education on these criteria.
A pharmacoepidemiology study of local fungal infections in skin and venereal diseases outpatient department of a rural tertiary care hospital
Authors: Bansal Preety , Baishnab Seema
Published: March 2020

Background: Fungal infections of the skin were the 4th most common skin disease in 2010 affecting 984 million people. An estimated 20-25% of the world’s population has some form of fungal infection. Dermatophytes are fungi that cause superficial infections of the skin, commonly referred to as tinea infections.Methods: This was a prospective and an observational study conducted from February 2018 to January 2019 in Dermatology Department. Prescriptions included all newly diagnosed patients with cutaneous fungal infection of both sex who attended dermatology OPD. Factors considered were sociodemographic parameters, the disease encountered and number of patients in each group and number of patients who received antifungal therapy (oral and topical) etc.Results: 1000 prescriptions were analysed of patients between 18 to 65 years of age with cutaneous fungal infections. There were a greater number of males (57.4%) than females (42.6%). The average number of antifungal drugs prescribed per prescription was 2.33. Majority of the patients were prescribed itraconazole (82.30%) followed by terbinafine (9.70%) and fluconazole (8.0%).Conclusions: The most common oral antifungal drug used was itraconazole. Ketoconazole and Terbinafine were the most commonly used topical agents respectively.
A study to correlate association between vitamin D with fibroid and its supplementation in the progression of the disease
Authors: Xess Somila , Sahu Jaiprakash
Published: March 2020

Background: Uterine fibroids, or leiomyomas are the most common benign tumors of the female reproductive tract, affecting up to 60% of Indian women with only 25% of women who are symptomatic. Symptoms do not always correlate with the size, number, or location of the fibroids. Recent studies suggest that hypovitaminosis D is associated with an increased risk of uterine fibroids.Methods: Total 110 women diagnosed with fibroid in USG were included in the study. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied and size of the fibroid noted. 60 women were included in the study group who took Vitamin D supplementation and 50 women in the control group who didn’t perform the study properly.Results: The growth pattern of fibroids with study group under supplementation with 25-OH-D3 seems to be stable, with no increases or decreases in size or number of identified lesions. Instead, women in control group, who did not perform appropriate vitamin D supplementation seem to have a slight but significant increase in size of the lesions.Conclusions: It was seen that hypovitaminosis D was associated with fibroid and thus supplementation with Vitamin D helped in the shrinkage of fibroid or slower the progression of the disease.
Vitamin D deficiency and its correlation with pregnancy outcome
Authors: Menon Maya , A. Sridevi T. , Mohan Thuthi , Patil Aruna B.
Published: March 2020

Background: There is a growing concern about the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its relationship with variety of diseases worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its association with pregnancy outcome.Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted among 150 antenatal women from October 2014 to April 2015. Data containing socio-demographic details, vitamin D level, serum calcium, pregnancy complications and growth situation of newborns were collected and analyzed.Results: A total 150 pregnant women participated in the study, 75.3% were vitamin D deficient, 22.1% vitamin D insufficient and 2.6% normal. There was no significant adverse maternal outcome. NICU admission was required in 28.3 and 15.2% in the vitamin D deficient and insufficient groups respectively.Conclusions: Women from different socioeconomic status, irrespective of parity and educational levels had vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency. This study fails to show a relation of vitamin D deficiency with other high-risk factors of pregnancy and does not show any adverse fetal outcome.
Clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of bacterial vaginosis: a hospital based cross-sectional study
Authors: Agarwal Manju , Soni Rakhee , Singh Adhunika
Published: March 2020

Background: Bacterial vaginosis is most common cause of vaginal discharge. Clinical presentation varies from person to person. The management of bacterial vaginosis is largely syndromic and empirical, it is usually based on naked eye examination of vaginal discharge and that is unsatisfactory because the diagnostic accuracy is lost without microscopic examination. The modern management of bacterial vaginosis demands a specific diagnosis which is a combination of naked eye examination plus laboratory workup.Methods: The study was carried out on 183 females with complaint of vaginal discharge in the outpatient department of obstetrics and gynecology. Specimens were collected in outpatient department of Jhalawar Medical College in associated Zanana Hospital. The laboratory work was conducted in the department of microbiology in Jhalawar Medical College, Jhalawar, Rajasthan, India.Results: The prevalence of microbial positivity in our study was 79.9%. Bacterial vaginosis was the most common diagnosis seen in 86 (47.0%) cases. Maximum patients presented with complaint of copious amount of foul-smelling yellow discharge.Conclusions: The study concludes that it is important to know the various presentations, confirm the diagnosis by proper microbiological tests, and provide appropriate treatment to patients to prevent resistance and recurrence of bacterial vaginosis.
Role of hysterolaparoscopy in the diagnosis and management of infertility
Authors: Agrawal Saumya P. , Kedia Nupoor , Jani Shashwat K. , Agrawal Siddharth P.
Published: March 2020

Background: Infertility is defined by WHO and ICMART as a disease of the reproductive system by the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Objective of this study were to assess the role of hysteroscopy and laparoscopy in the evaluation of female infertility. To assess the therapeutic role of these endoscopic modalities in cases of infertility.Methods: A prospective study of 112 women coming with the complain of infertility to a tertiary care centre hospital in Ahmedabad over a period of 30 months from January 2017 to June 2019.Results: Of the 112 cases, 69.7% had primary infertility and 30.3% had secondary infertility. Septum was the most common hysteroscopic finding (7.1%) followed by polyps (5.4%) and synechiae (3.6%). Adhesions was the most common laparoscopic finding (23.2%) followed by tubal blocks (19.7%) and fibroid (17.9%). Polycystic ovaries were seen in 12.5% patients followed by endometriosis in 10.7% women. Myomectomy was most common therapeutic procedure (17.9%) followed by adhesiolysis in 14.3% women and PCO drilling in 8.9% women.Conclusions: Hysterolaparoscopy is useful as a diagnostic and therapeutic measure for women having infertility.
Pregnancy outcome after first trimester vaginal bleeding
Authors: Quraishi Azhar Un Nisa , Khurshid Rabia , Andrabi Syed Aadil , Quraishi Kamran Ahmad
Published: March 2020

Background: First trimester vaginal bleeding is one of the most common complications in pregnancy threatening its proper development and successful outcome.Methods: A case-control study was conducted from October 2016 to April 2018 in the department of obstetrics and gynecology SKIMS.200 cases with vaginal bleeding in first trimester were taken for study. Out of the cases, number of patients who had abortion, ectopic, molar pregnancy or continued their pregnancy beyond 20 weeks was noted. Those who continued their pregnancy were compared with 130 controls for complications developing later in pregnancy.Results: There was significantly higher incidence of PIH (15.4% of cases, 6.9% of controls, p value = 0.005) and abruption (7.7% and 1.5% among cases and controls respectively with p-value of 0.034) among cases than controls. Mean gestational age at delivery in cases was 35.6±3.63 weeks while in controls it was 38.5±1.94 weeks (p value <0.001). Mean birth-weight of the neonates in cases was 2.16±0.78 kgs while in controls was 3.05±0.53 kgs (p value <0.001). IUGR occurred in 9.2% of cases and 3.1% of controls (p value 0.039). There was significantly higher neonatal ICU admission rate in cases than controls (p value 0.019).Conclusions: Patients with first trimester vaginal bleeding are at increased risk for spontaneous loss and adverse pregnancy outcome.
Disparity in knowledge, attitude and practice among mothers of children under three years of age about early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding and continued breastfeeding in Alwar district, Rajasthan, India
Authors: Chand Harish , Chopra Mansi , Sharma Jyoti
Published: March 2020

Background: Considering the poor practices of optimal breastfeeding, a cross-sectional study with the objective to ascertain the disparity in knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) pertaining to early initiation, exclusive and continued breastfeeding behaviours was conducted among the mothers of children below 3 years of age.

Methods: 400 mothers of children ≤6 months from 52 villages of Rajasthan were included in the analysis for EBF. The data collection was analysed using statistical software SPSS version 23.0. All characteristics were summarized descriptively. Chi-square (χ2) test was performed to study the association between two categorical variables. Three points liket scale was administered to assess the attitude of mothers.  

Results: 72.8 % mothers initiated early breastfeeding, 22.5% continued breastfeeding, and exclusively breastfeeding was practiced by none. 34.3% mothers had knowledge on early initiation of breastfeeding, 34.6% on exclusive breastfeeding and 65.5% had knowledge on continued breastfeeding. 73.8% mothers had positive attitude towards early initiation of breastfeeding, 13.5 % on exclusive breastfeeding and 79.5% had positive attitude towards continued breastfeeding up to 2 years.

Conclusions: Though the attitude and knowledge on breastfeeding is good yet exclusive breastfeeding practice was observed very poor. These findings indicate that despite of having good knowledge and a positive attitude towards breastfeeding, there are certain myths and social determinants which hinder optimal breastfeeding. Identification of such barriers will be extremely useful, since counselling and behaviour change strategies will focus and address them, resulting in the practice of good behaviours.