12 research outputs found
Medical Students Knowledge and Perception Regarding Complementary and Alternative Medicine used in Dyslipidemia and Diabetes Treatment
No full textEducation and training as key drivers for improving the quality of fluid balance charts: findings from a quality improvement project
No full textReviewing fluid balance charts is a simple and effective method of assessing and monitoring the hydration status of patients. Several articles report that these charts are often either inaccurately or incompletely filled thereby limiting their usefulness in clinical practice. We had a similar experience in our practice at Kettering General Hospital and conducted a quality improvement project with a goal to increase the number of charts that were completely and accurately filled by a minimum of 50% in a 1-month period and to reassess the sustainability of this improvement after 6 months. Data from baseline measurements showed that only 25% of the charts in the ward had accurate measurements, 20% had correct daily totals and 14% had complete records of all intakes and losses. We collected feedback from nursing staff in the ward on what challenges they faced in using these charts and how best to support them. Corroborated by evidence from the literature, we discovered that inadequate training was a major factor responsible for the poor quality of documentation in these charts. Using simultaneous plan–do–study–act cycles, we designed and delivered personalised teaching on fluid balance chart documentation to the nursing staff. Subsequent data showed remarkable improvements in all the parameters we assessed. For instance, the proportion of charts with accurate measurements increased by 55% and those with complete entries by 122%. Unfortunately, we were unable to demonstrate sustainability of these improvements as our second set of data collection coincided with the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. In this project, we were able to demonstrate that simple and cost-efficient measures such as adequate training of nursing staff could remarkably improve the quality of fluid balance charts used in our hospitals. We suggest that this training should be included as part of the regular competency assessments for nurses and other healthcare staff
Chondroitin sulfate/Dermatan sulfate from Rat Kidney
No full textThis Dissertation / Report is the outcome of investigation carried out by the creator(s) / author(s) at the department/division of Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore mentioned below in this page
Narrative Journalism in Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood
No full textThis paper deals with how Narrative Journalism influences the novels in literature with special reference to the non-fiction In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. The author is forced to yield a serious new art form in Literature through Narrative Journalism. To demonstrate the literary techniques of the novel, Capote applied Literary Journalism. In a simple definition, Narrative Journalism is a technique and stylistic strategy traditionally associated with non-fiction, and also it is at times used interchangeably with creative nonfiction. Capote learned of the quadruple murder in The New York Times, before the killers were captured. Then he decided to travel to Kansas and write about the crime with his fellow author Harper lee who has also written a few non-fictions. Here Capote brings out the true crime story for which he interviewed local residents and investigators assigned to the case and took thousand pages of notes. He also took extensive detail and simultaneous triple narrative. And the story is told from two alternating perspectives; the thought of the murderers and the people affected by the crime. Capote’s purpose of writing this novel was to let the readers know about the prior planning, thoughts and purpose of the crime by the murderers that would not be shown in a typical news report. Unlike other authors his objective was in showing the mindset of the murderers while committing the crime. The highlight of the study is how Narrative Journalism is applied in Capote’s In Cold Blood
Author affiliation and funding source of eligible studies.
No full textAuthor affiliation and funding source of eligible studies.</p
Global optimization of extraframework ensembles in zeolites: structural analysis of extraframework aluminum species in MOR and MFI zeolites
No full textMetal-modified zeolites are versatile catalytic materials with a wide range of industrial applications. Their catalytic behaviour is determined by the nature of externally introduced cationic species, i.e., its geometry, chemical composition, and location within the zeolite pores. Superior catalyst designs can be unlocked by understanding the confinement effect and spatial limitations of the zeolite framework and its influence on the geometry and location of such cationic active sites. In this study, we employ the genetic algorithm (GA) global optimization method to investigate extraframework aluminum species and their structural variations in different zeolite matrices. We focus on extraframework aluminum (EFAl) as a model system because it greatly influences the product selectivity and catalytic stability in several zeolite catalyzed processes. Specifically, the GA was used to investigate the configurational possibilities of EFAl within the mordenite (MOR) and ZSM-5 frameworks. The xTB semi-empirical method within the GA was employed for an automated sampling of the EFAl-zeolite space. Furthermore, geometry refinement at the density functional theory (DFT) level of theory allowed us to improve the most stable configurations obtained from the GA and elaborate on the limitations of the xTB method. A subsequent ab initio thermodynamics analysis (aiTA) was chosen to predict the most favourable EFAl structure(s) under the catalytically relevant operando conditions.ChemE/Inorganic Systems EngineeringChemE/Algemee
Prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA] colonization or carriage among health-care workers
No full textSummaryIn Oman, the prevalence of health care associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus [HA-MRSA] is unknown. Therefore, to estimate the prevalence of HA-MRSA, we collected nasal swabs and swabs from cell phones on sterile polyester swabs and immediately inoculated on the mannitol salt agar containing oxacillin from medical students and hospital health care providers. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of the isolates was then performed using the Kirby Bauer's disc diffusion method. Additionally, a brief survey questionnaire was used to acquire demographic data. Amongst the 311 participants enrolled, nasal colonization with HA-MRSA was found in 47 individuals (15.1%, 95% confidence interval [CI]=11.1%, 19.1%). HA-MRSA was also isolated from the cell phone surfaces in 28 participants (9.0%, 95% CI=8.6%, 9.3%). 5 participants (1.6%) showed positive results both from their nasal swabs and from their cell phones. Antibiotic resistance to erythromycin [48%] and clindamycin [29%] was relatively high. 9.3% HA-MRSA isolates were vancomycin resistant [6.6% nasal carriage]. There was no statistically significant correlation between HA-MRSA isolates and the demographic characteristics or the risk factors namely gender, underlying co-morbidities like diabetes, hypertension, skin/soft tissue infections, skin ulcers/wounds, recent exposure to antibiotics, or hospital visits (p>0.05, Chi-square test)
Digital Transformation of the High-Technology Manufacturing: An Overview of Main Blockades
No full textQuality of life is linked to a country\u27s or region\u27s economic progress. Recent academic research has found that the pace of digitalization of the economy and society is similar. Despite this, there is evidence of low digital/advanced manufacturing technology adoption preparedness across economic sectors, despite government assistance and senior manager strategic orientation. The research aims to measure industry and organizational readiness for digital/advanced manufacturing technology adoption. An expert poll conducted by the author’s revealed low industrial readiness for digital/advanced manufacturing technology. As a result, the research focuses on identifying organizational digital transformation hurdles. An examination of academic literature and digital maturity assessment frameworks revealed a paucity of criteria for evaluating barriers. The project seeks to establish a method for evaluating digital transformation barriers. A questionnaire developed using analytical research measures an overall digital-transformation barrier level for a manufacturing firm and identifies issue areas. The power engineering company has a lower barrier level, which aligns with the engine construction and turbine engineering industries\u27 higher degrees of readiness to use digital technology. This finding validates the author\u27s method\u27s reasonableness.
 
Pearl Millet Seed Surface Modification and Improved Germination by Non-thermal Plasma Discharge: Understanding the Role of Reactive Species
No full textInternational audienceIn this work, we investigated the impacts of atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD), i.e., plasma treatment, on pearl millet seeds germination and plant growth. The effect of plasma discharge on water activation, by introducing the reactive species, was explored. We evidenced that about 30 min plasma treated pearl millet seeds exhibited 20% higher germination rate than the control seed watered with tap water. The HR-SEM study revealed that the plasma treatment increased the roughness and FTIR study showed that new oxygen functional groups were introduced on the seed surface. Moreover, it was observed that the water contact angle decreased for plasma treated seeds (50%) and the water uptake also increased considerably as compared to control seeds. These findings indicate that the seed surface has turned more hydrophilic after plasma treatment. A cylindrical double dielectric barrier discharge (D-DBD) reactor was employed for water activation, and 30 min of treatment under air has decreased the pH of deionized water from 7.4 to 4.5 and produced about 1.78 ppm of nitrate (NO3-) and 4.2 ppm of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Interestingly, the plasma activated water (PAW) improved the pearl millet seed germination by 30% (after 24 h of sowing) and plant growth as compared to tap water and deionized water. Remarkably, when PAW and plasma-treated seeds were combined, a beneficial impact in seed germination (95 +/- 2%) and seedling growth have been evidenced owing to synergistic effect. We evidenced that among the long-lived species in PAW, NO3- enhanced the seed germination and plant growth under similar conditions. These findings demonstrate that the proposed cold plasma reactors could be utilized to boost seed germination and plant growth.Please confirm if the author names are presented accurately and in the correct sequence (given name, middle name/initial, family name). Author 4 Given name: [Amine Aymen] Last name [Assadi]. Also, kindly confirm the details in the metadata are correct.Yes, all author names are correctly editted
Benefits, barriers and recommendations for youth engagement in health research: combining evidence-based and youth perspectives
No full textAbstract
Background
Youth engagement refers to the collaboration between researchers and youth to produce research. Youth engagement in health research has been shown to inform effective interventions aimed at improving health outcomes. However, limited evidence has identified promising practices to meaningfully engage youth. This synthesis aims to describe youth engagement approaches, frameworks, and barriers, as well as provide both evidence-based and youth-generated recommendations for meaningful engagement.
Main body
This review occurred in two stages: 1) a narrative review of existing literature on youth engagement and 2) a Youth Advisory Council (YAC) to review and supplement findings with their perspectives, experiences, and recommendations. The terms ‘youth engagement’ and ‘health research’ were searched in Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and PsycINFO. Articles and non-peer reviewed research works related to youth engagement in health research were included, reviewed, and summarized. The YAC met with research team members and in separate youth-only forums to complement the narrative review with their perspectives. Types of youth engagement include participation as research participants, advisors, partners, and co-investigators. Barriers to youth engagement were organized into youth- (e.g., time commitments), researcher- (e.g., attitudes towards youth engagement), organizational- (e.g., inadequate infrastructure to support youth engagement), and system-level (e.g., systemic discrimination and exclusion from research). To enhance youth engagement, recommendations focus on preparing and supporting youth by offering flexible communication approaches, mentorship opportunities, diverse and inclusive recruitment, and ensuring youth understand the commitment and benefits involved.
Conclusions
To harness the potential of youth engagement, researchers need to establish an inclusive and enabling environment that fosters collaboration, trust, and valuable contributions from youth. Future research endeavors should prioritize investigating the dynamics of power-sharing between researchers and youth, assessing the impact of youth engagement on young participants, and youth-specific evaluation frameworks.Plain English summary
Engaging and partnering with youth in research related to healthcare is important, but often not done well. As researchers, we recognize that youth perspectives are needed to make sure we are asking the right questions, using appropriate research methods, and interpreting the results correctly. We searched the literature to identify challenges researchers have faced engaging youth in health research, as well as strategies to partner with youth in a meaningful way. We worked closely with 11 youth from across Canada with experience in healthcare, who formed a Youth Advisory Council. The youth advisors reviewed the literature we found and discussed how it fit with their own experiences and perspectives through group meetings with the research team. Youth advisors divided into four groups to co-author parts of this paper, including identifying the importance, benefits, and challenges of engaging in research and providing reflections on their positive and negative previous experiences as youth advisors. This paper provides an overview of recommendations for researchers to engage with youth in a meaningful way, including how they communicate and meet with youth, recognize their contributions, and implement feedback to improve the experiences of youth partners
