3 research outputs found
Why Students Opt for Agriculture as a Discipline: Insights from Rajasthan, India
No full textAgriculture plays a vital role in food security, rural livelihoods, and economic development. Understanding why students choose agricultural education is crucial for shaping academic policies and workforce strategies. This study examines the key factors influencing undergraduate students in Rajasthan to pursue agriculture, focusing on career opportunities, financial expectations, self-interest, social influences, and external guidance. Despite the increasing demand for skilled agricultural professionals, research on students' motivations for enrolling in agricultural programs remains limited. Existing studies often overlook specific reasons that attract students to this field. This study addresses this gap by providing empirical insights into students' aspirations and expectations regarding agricultural education. A structured questionnaire survey was conducted in 2025 among 200 final year undergraduate agricultural students across various districts of Rajasthan. A random sampling technique ensured diverse representation. Data were collected on students' backgrounds, motivations, and perceptions of agricultural education. A three-point Likert scale (Agree, Neutral, Disagree) was used to assess responses, and descriptive statistical methods, including percentages, mean scores, and ranking, were applied to analyse the data. Results indicate that better career scope (83.50 per cent), self-interest (79.00 per cent), and the desire to improve farmers' livelihoods (79.00 per cent) are the primary motivators for choosing agriculture. Parental advice (63.50 per cent) and high earnings expectations (59.50 per cent) also play a significant role, while teacher’s guidance (54.00 per cent) and social status (52.00 per cent) have a moderate impact. Coaching’s influence (29.00 per cent) is the least significant factor. To support students, policymakers and educational institutions should enhance career counselling, expand skill development programs, and promote entrepreneurship in agriculture. Strengthening job opportunities, financial support mechanisms, and exposure to modern agricultural practices can encourage more students to pursue agriculture, ensuring a skilled workforce for the sector’s sustainable growth
Computer-assisted needle navigation for pediatric internal jugular central venous cannulation: A feasibility study
No full text© The Author(s) 2020. Introduction: Vascular access for central venous catheter placement is technically challenging in children. Ultrasound guidance is recommended for pediatric central venous catheter placement, yet many practitioners rely on imprecise anatomic landmark techniques risking procedure failure due to difficulty mastering ultrasound guidance. A novel navigation system provides a visual overlay on real-time ultrasound images to depict needle trajectory and tip location during cannulation. We report the first pediatric study assessing feasibility and preliminary safety of using a computer-assisted needle navigation system to aid in central venous access. Methods: A prospective, institutional review board–approved feasibility study was performed. All participants provided written informed consent. Ten patients (mean age: 11.4 years, five males) underwent central venous catheter placement with ultrasound and navigation system guidance. All procedures were performed by interventional radiologists expert in vascular access. Feasibility was measured through binary (yes/no) responses from participating users assessing device usability and feasibility. The number of needle passes and procedure time measures were also recorded. Results: Internal jugular veins (seven right sided, three left sided) were cannulated in all patients with no complications. Users confirmed navigation system feasibility in all 10 participants. Mean vein diameter and depth was 13.3 × 9.8 ± 3.4 × 2.1 and 7.0 ± 1.7 mm, respectively. Successful cannulation occurred in all patients and required only a single needle pass in 9 of 10 patients. Mean device set-up and vascular access times were 5:31 ± 2:28 and 1:48 ± 2:35 min, respectively. Conclusion: This pilot study suggests that it is feasible to use a novel computer-assisted needle navigation system to safely obtain central venous access under ultrasound guidance in pediatric patients
OK432 versus doxycycline for treatment of macrocystic lymphatic malformations
No full textObjectives: A variety of sclerotherapy agents are used to treat macrocystic lymphatic malformations (LMs). This retrospective study at a single institution was performed to compare the outcomes of pediatric macrocystic LMs of the head and neck that were treated with doxycycline or with OK432. Methods: The outcomes measured included early response to therapy, number of treatments required, operating room time, and adverse events. Results: The rates of clinical success for OK432 and doxycycline were similar (83% and 82%, respectively; p \u3e 0.05), although OK432-treated patients required more treatments than did doxycycline-treated patients (1.9 versus 1.0 injections; p = 0.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.57 to 0.27). The average operating room time for a single OK432 injection was significantly shorter than that for doxycycline (53.2 versus 98.1 minutes; p \u3c 0.001); however, when the total number of treatments administered was considered, the overall times in the operating room were similar. Adverse events in the early postoperative period were more common in OK432-treated patients, who experienced marked postoperative swelling compared to doxycycline-treated patients. Conclusions: OK432 and doxycycline are both effective sclerosants for the treatment of predominantly macrocystic LMs. The administration time for OK432 is shorter than that for doxycycline, but OK432 required more treatments overall to achieve clinical success. Early adverse events were more common in OK432-treated patients, but longer follow-up is necessary to determine whether rates of recurrence and adverse events are similar, particularly in light of the risk of tooth discoloration in doxycycline-treated patients. © The Author(s) 2014
