Advances in Research
Not a member yet
1523 research outputs found
Sort by
Assessment of Pharmacist-Initiated Intervention in Drug Therapy Management in Community Settings
No full textAims: Pharmacists often focus more on dispensing medications in community pharmacies rather than offering extended pharmaceutical services such as patient counseling, prescription screening and health monitoring. This enables their role in addressing drug-related problems (DRPs), which can lead to adverse outcomes in patient care. Pharmacist-led interventions have shown potential in enhancing therapeutic outcomes through early identification and resolution of DRPs.
Study Design: Prospective interventional study
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in a selected community pharmacy located in Mysuru city over a period of nine months August 2018 to May 2019.
Methodology: Patients aged 18 and above who visited the pharmacy were included in the study. Data were collected through patient interviews and prescription reviews. Drug-related problems were identified using Charles D. Hepler and Linda Strand’s classification system and analyzed using Medscape and Micromedex mobile applications. Data about drug-related problems were subjected to analysis of various parameters such as type of DRP, incidence, disease conditions, class and individual drugs implicated in DRPs, which was analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: Out of 500 prescriptions reviewed, 100 drug-related problems were identified. Drug-drug interactions (6%) and adverse drug reactions (5%) were the most common DRPs. Among 32 identified DDIs, 94% were of minor severity and primarily pharmacokinetic in nature. Risk factors significantly associated with DRPs included advanced age, presence of comorbid conditions, polypharmacy and increased dosing frequency (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The overall incidence of DRPs was high in the community setting. Patients with advanced age, comorbid conditions, and use of multiple medication were at greater risk of developing drug related problems. Community pharmacists\u27 role in identifying DRPs early and implementing targeted interventions to improve medication safety. Continuous involvement in routine patient counselling and medication review can significantly reduce preventable drug-related issues
Leadership Integrity: A Strategic Pillar for Ethical Decision Making and Organizational Excellence
No full textThis paper critically examines integrity as a foundational element of leadership and its impact on moral decision-making, organizational trust, and sustained success. A thorough analysis of interdisciplinary literature highlights the need to develop integrity-driven leadership cultures and stresses the incorporation of ethical frameworks into healthcare leadership education. The results offer doable tactics for promoting accountability, openness, and moral coherence in a variety of organizational settings.
Effective and long-lasting leadership is built on integrity. Between leaders and their staff, it creates an unbreakable bond of trust that promotes credibility, inspiration, moral decision-making, and a robust corporate culture. Integrity in leadership has the power to leave a lasting impression on a company\u27s clients, staff members, and prospective customers. They contribute to a happy workplace by keeping the company\u27s values. It is the pillar of leadership, serving as a beacon of trust and credibility for followers. Leaders who maintain high decent standards and demonstrate consistency between their words and actions inspire confidence and loyalty among their teams. When leaders act with integrity, they create clear evidence for others to follow, fostering a culture of honesty, transparency, and accountability within the organization. It is on the basis above that this article reviewed literature bringing to light the role of integrity in leadership.
The article presents that integrity impacts an organization’s success and that leaders who embody integrity are better equipped to navigate challenges and crises effectively. It also presents creating an organizational culture to nurture Integrity Leadership. Finally, it touches on the integrity in the training of healthcare professionals.
The article concludes that as a pillar of leadership, integrity is not just a nice to have; it is essential for long-term success. By embodying integrity in all that they do, leaders can inspire greatness in themselves and in those they lead
Mustard Prosperity: Assessing Economic Realities among KVK Beneficiary and Non-beneficiary Farmers in Samba District of Jammu Division
No full textBackground: The study was conducted purposively in Samba district during the year 2020-21 because KVK, Samba has laid maximum number of Frontline Demonstrations (FLDs) under its Cluster Frontline Demonstration Programme during 2019-20.
Methods: A list of 166 mustard growing beneficiaries was collected from KVK Samba. Out of the available list, 60 number of mustard growing beneficiary were selected randomly. Equal numbers of non-beneficiary mustard growing farmers were also selected from the representative/adjoining villages. Total sample size comprised of 120 respondents.
Results: It shows that average seed cost of the beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries were 411.66 and 310.83 Rs./ha, the average cost of fungicide of the beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries were 291.41 and 171.46 Rs./ha for Albugo occidentalis and Erisiphe cruciferam, average cost of urea of the beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries were 614.33 and 574 Rs./ha. The study also shows that total cost of the beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries were 311173.67 and 29596.33 Rs./ha. The B:C ratio of the beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries were 1.97:1 and 1.34:1, respectively
Detecting Blindsight in Clinical Settings: A Preliminary Case Series Investigation
No full textAims: After occipital damage, hemianopic patients may respond to targets presented in their non-responsive hemifield even if they are unaware of their presence. This phenomenon, called blindsight, is probably mediated by an extrastriate route and can be revealed by forced-choice response paradigms. Since blindsight can help patients avoid obstacles and prevent collisions, and can be trained, identifying blindsight subjects within the clinical setting deserves consideration. This preliminary investigation assesses the effectiveness of a simple and fast procedure devised on purpose in four well-studied hemianopic patients.
Study Design: Case-series.
Place and Duration of Study: University of Turin, Dept of Ophthalmology, between February 2023 and July 2024.
Methodology: Flickering sinusoidal gratings (temporal frequency: 10 Hz) were briefly presented in the blind hemifield above or below the horizontal meridian. Fixation was strictly monitored. Subjects had to report, according to a 2AFC (Alternative-Forced Choice) temporal paradigm, in which interval the stimulus was presented.
Results: A proportion of correct responses significantly above chance was recorded in subject DC (60.94%, c2 = 6.08, p: .013) with selective deafferentiation of the striate cortex whereas the performance of the other patients, with more extensive damage, was at a chance level.
Conclusion: In line with the literature, blindsight depends on the extent of the cerebral injury. This simple and fast procedure (examination time: approximately 20 minutes) seems promising for selecting, within the clinical setting, patients who should be further investigated for blindsight. Within a translational framework, the aim is to customize and optimize rehabilitation programs aimed at increasing the unconscious detection rate in the blind region and, hopefully, switching unconscious detection into aware perception
Gender Dimensions of Roles and Implications of Plantation Agriculture: A Critical Look at Cameroon Development Cooperation (CDC) Debundscha Palm Estate Pre and Post-Anglophone Crisis
No full textBackground: Gender analysis of plantation agriculture is at an important point in history as more and more women continue to gain entry into plantation work. While governments view it as gender balanced and as an issue of equality in terms of employments, feminists are more concerned with the labour realities and job segregation that affects the status of workers especially female workers.
Aims: To examine the well-being and gender dynamics of workers at the Debundscha Palm plantation in Cameroon, focusing on changes before and after the Anglophone crisis
Study Design: This study used two Research Designs, Descriptive and investigative, because it is a mixed study.
Place: Situated at the foot of Mount Cameroon and facing the South Atlantic Ocean. The research focused in Njonge 2, Isongo, and Debundscha camps.
Methodology: Using questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions, the study analyzes data quantitatively with SPSS and qualitatively. It employs frameworks such as the Harvard Analytical Framework, sex role socialization, and Human Capital Theory to explore the low-paid positions predominantly held by women and how the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC) values workers\u27 skills for sustainable development.
Results: The findings indicate a pronounced gender-based division of labor, with men in higher-paying positions and women in lower-paid roles. The Anglophone crisis affected all workers, resulting in irregular pay, health issues, and heightened risks of crime and prostitution. Social challenges included inadequate healthcare. Women faced additional discrimination in education and training compared to men.
Conclusion: Overall, the study underscores the complex interplay of gender and well-being in a labor context marked by crisis, revealing persistent inequalities between gender and labor conditions. The findings emphasize the need for greater attention to gender equity and resource allocation to enhance living and working conditions for all plantation workers
Properties and Applications of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete
No full textSteel fiber concrete is a new composite material that significantly enhances its performance by incorporating randomly distributed short steel fibers. Its development has gone through theoretical exploration and engineering practice. Early research laid the foundation for fiber spacing theory and composite material mechanics. In recent years, combined with innovative processes such as nanotechnology and 3D printing, the application fields have been continuously expanded. In terms of mechanical properties, steel fibers enable the tensile, flexural and shear strengths of concrete to be improved to varying degrees by restraining crack propagation and stress transfer, greatly enhancing compressive toughness and significantly prolonging fatigue life. Long - term performance is characterized by a notable reduction in shrinkage, a significant enhancement in freeze - thaw resistance, and a remarkable improvement in cavitation resistance. Its applications cover areas such as tunnel support, building seismic joints, transportation infrastructure, water conservancy projects and military protection. Future research will focus on the innovation of fiber materials and the analysis of micro - mechanical behavior, so as to deepen theoretical understanding and promote sustainable development applications
Assessing the Spatio-temporal Pattern and Analysis of Obstacles to Rural Revitalization in China\u27s Yangtze River Delta Region
No full textIt is crucial to objectively assess the development level of rural revitalization in China\u27s Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region and its evolution pattern. This study uses the entropy method to measure the development level of rural revitalization in the YRD region from 2013 to 2022. We use the kernel density equation to analyze its evolution and spatial autocorrelation to analyze its spatial aggregation effect, and finally, the main factors affecting the development of rural revitalization were derived using the barrier model. It is found that the development level of rural revitalization in the Yangtze River Delta region is on an upward trend from 2013 to 2022, and spatially manifests itself in the form of “eastern coastal cities are larger than western regional cities. Meanwhile, there is obvious spatial aggregation of rural revitalization development level among different cities in the Yangtze River Delta region. Finally, the analysis using the obstacle model concludes that the main first-level obstacle affecting the development level of rural revitalization is living a well-off life, while among the third-level indicators, the main obstacle is the incidence of rural poverty.To address the identified obstacles, policymakers should prioritize improving rural infrastructure and public services to enhance living standards. Specific measures include increasing investment in rural areas for better access to education, healthcare, and transportation. Additionally, targeted poverty alleviation programs and agricultural support initiatives can help reduce rural poverty rates. Promoting rural industries and agricultural innovation will also be crucial for sustainable rural development and achieving the goal of rural revitalization
Advanced Strategies for Recycling Calcium Carbide Slag in Industry
No full textAs a strong alkaline industrial waste generated in the process of acetylene production, calcium carbide slag has a huge annual output and prominent environmental risks. This paper systematically reviews the disposal and resource utilisation technology system of calcium carbide slag, reveals that its main component is calcium hydroxide (82%-90%) with silica-aluminium-iron impurities, and demonstrates the environmental urgency of industrial utilisation. By comparing the process characteristics of traditional physical disposal (reclamation pile, natural sedimentation) and chemical comprehensive utilisation (cement/lime/lightweight bricks), it is pointed out that landfill method has land encroachment and pollution potential, while the existing resource technology has significant limitations in terms of calcium carbide slag consumption (15%-50%), energy consumption control (calcination process up to 900-1000℃) and added value of the product. Focusing on the innovative path of calcium carbonate preparation from calcium carbide slag: breaking through the limitation of calcium hydroxide solubility, adopting ammonium chloride leaching-CO₂ carbonation recycling process to achieve the utilisation rate of calcium carbide slag to be increased to more than 80%, and the purity of the light calcium carbonate produced reaches 99.2%, whiteness > 93%, and its economic feasibility is verified by 50kt/a industrialised production line. Research shows that the leaching method reduces energy consumption by 15%-20% compared with the traditional calcination method, and the synergistic CO₂ capture can reduce emissions by 21kg CO₂/t of calcium carbide slag, which promotes the formation of a closed-loop resource chain of ‘calcium carbide slag-calcium carbonate’. The future needs to develop high value-added product development, intelligent purification process and cross-industry coupling technology to break through the bottleneck of industrialisation
Research Progress of Straw Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Composites
No full textSustainable development involves the use of sustainable materials as substitutes for traditional materials to avoid excessive consumption of natural resources. As a natural green material, plant fiber is gradually attracting the attention of researchers in the field of architecture due to its potential application value in composite materials. In order to promote the development of natural plant fiber composites, based on the analysis of the characteristics of natural plant fiber materials, and based on the role of natural plant fiber composites in crack resistance and toughening, internal maintenance, heat preservation and energy conservation, this paper comprehensively reviews the application of plant fiber cement based composites in building projects, hoping to provide some reference for the development and application of new building materials
The Influence of Cementitious Materials on the Performance of Porous Concrete: A Review
No full textPorous concrete is an eco-friendly building material that harmonizes with nature, and it has been extensively studied due to its excellent permeability, breathability, sound absorption, and dirt cleaning properties. Based on a comprehensive review of the literature, this study summarizes the current research status on the effects of various cementitious materials on the mechanical, permeability, and durability properties of porous concrete (PC). The results indicate that a rational combination of cementitious materials and supplementary cementitious materials (such as cement, silica fume, fly ash, metakaolin, etc.) helps to balance and optimize the mechanical, permeability, and durability properties of porous concrete. For example, silica fume at 8% replacement improved the compressive strength to 25.6 MPa, while fly ash at 40% replacement achieved a compressive strength of 32.1 MPa. The study also explores various factors affecting the performance of porous concrete, laying a theoretical foundation for its practical application in engineering projects