Opportunities for ICT initiatives: the biggest challenge for Education during COVID 19 pandemic

At present, not only India but the whole world is struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic. The entire educational system from the primary level to a higher level has deteriorated during the global crisis of COVID-19 lockdown. Schools, colleges, universities, and other educational institutions around the world were closed due to COVID-19. Due to the closure of all educational institutions during the lockdown, there has been a change in the form of education. During the pandemic, many types of ICT initiatives can be seen in the field of education. During the lockdown, the e-learning platform was promoted so that everyone can get an education at home. There has been a significant increase in the use of information communication technology tools or online learning software during COVID-19. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has to provide new ways of online learning platforms. This paper discusses the opportunities for information communication technology (ICT) tools in filling the gaps in education amid the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuring educational continuity during the lockdown. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the challenges arising in the education sector amid the COVID-19 pandemic and highlight the effectiveness of ICT in the education sector during this pandemic. This paper focuses on a variety of existing online learning platforms in this educational landscape

Radiation epigenetically modulates tumor cells and alters activation and function of effector T cells

Radiation is a common therapeutic modality for cancer however it fails to control advanced and malignant disease. As a result, novel approaches that aim to stimulate immune attack of tumors are currently being investigated and approved by the US FDA. It is clear, however, that no single agent will be responsible for achieving long-term control and treatment of cancer and that combination therapies will be required. Previous studies indicate that colorectal cancer cells that survive radiation up-regulate surface expression of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) relevant proteins including death receptors, cell adhesion molecules and tumor-associated antigens (TAA). The aim of this dissertation was to investigate the effect of non-cytolytic doses of ionizing radiation (IR) on co-stimulatory molecule expression on tumor cells and evaluate the impact of their modulation on effector T-cell biology and tumoricidal activity. Here, several human tumor cell lines were exposed to various doses of radiation (0-10Gy) and TAA-specific T-cell tumoricidal activity and expression of effector CTL co-stimulatory molecules were evaluated. I found OX40L and 41BBL to be the most consistently upregulated proteins post-IR by flow cytometry. Furthermore, I saw enhanced survival and activation of human CD8+ T-cells exposed to irradiated tumor cells. Importantly, enhanced killing of irradiated tumor cells by TAA-specific CTLs in cytotoxicity assays was reported. Blocking OX40L and 41BBL reversed radiation-enhanced T-cell killing. My data also indicate that expression of 41BBL and OX40L can be epigenetically regulated, as inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDAC) and of DNA methyltransferases (DNMT) resulted in increased OX40L and 41BBL mRNA and protein expression. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments revealed increased histone H3 acetylation specifically at the 41BBL promoter following irradiation. Last, I began exploring the ability of IR to reverse immune suppression by evaluating the impact of radiation on regulatory T cells (TREGS) that can suppress the function of effector CTLs. I found that RT could reduce TREG numbers likely by altering their phenotype. Overall, this dissertation demonstrates that radiation can be used to make human tumors more immunogenic through epigenetic modulation of genes stimulatory to effector T-cells and that it may also reverse immune suppression by phenotypically altering TREG cells

Innovative Library Services in University Library in Digital India

It is the modern period of progress in almost every aspect of human development. Since ICT is viewed as a tool for innovating educational systems, it allows for the inclusion of new pedagogic practices that arouse students\u27 interest and motivation. In higher education, the function of academic libraries has changed dramatically. Atkinson (2001) states, The new library must be primarily a social gathering place, somewhat noisy, with plenty of coffee. This phrase implies that significant changes are expected in the academic library. This paper highlights the importance of information and communication technologies (ICT) in education. ICT enables everyone to communicate at any time and from any location. In this research paper, taking the BHU Central Library, known as Sayaji Rao Gaekwad Library, as a study, an attempt has been made to highlight the innovative library services employed in the mode of providing the library services and to highlight the impact of ICT on education

Evaluation of perinatal factors in neonatal sepsis at tertiary centre

Background: Neonatal mortality in India continues to remain a major health problem. Neonatal infections are one of the major contributor to neonatal mortality causing approximately one-quarter of the deaths. The signs of neonatal sepsis may be non-specific and easily missed, especially in the early stages. A high index of suspicion and identification of both maternal and neonatal risk factors is an important for early identification and prompt treatment.Methods: This is prospective study done at Patna medical college and hospital Patna from February 2014 to January 2015 in department of paediatrics. All inborn and out born neonates who had clinical signs of sepsis were included in the study.Results: During the 1-year study period, there were a total of 910 admissions in the NICU, out of which 175 were admitted due to neonatal septicaemia. Incidence of neonatal septicaemia was approximately 20%. Mean age at presentation was 4.8±6.38). Low birth weight (60%), preter delivery (60.57%), male gender (66.85%) and low APGAR score at1 minute were common foetal risk factor and prolonged labour (41.14%) and multiple vaginal examination (36.57%), PROM in 28%, MSL (25.71%) were common maternal risk factors. Present study documented a culture positivity rate of 42.28%. E. coli (37.83%) was the most common isolated organism in early as well as LOS. Staphylococcus aureus (20.27%) was the most common isolated Gram-positive bacterium. Mortality rate was 45.14%. Mortality was more in preterm babies (57.54%) which was statically significant p value <0.001.Conclusions: Neonatal septicemia is common and serious condition with high mortality rate. Since the condition starts with vague clinical signs, one has to keep very high index of suspicion to diagnose neonatal sepsis. Diagnosis and treatment at the early stage is very important for favorable outcome. Proper antenatal care, and institutional delivery may decrease neonatal sepsis

Immunization status of children and its decline with age: A hospital based study of 1000 children at a teaching hospital in western Uttar Pradesh

Background: Despite the ongoing National Immunization Program, the immunization coverage in our country remains unsatisfactory, particularly in U.P.; moreover, a wide disparity is seen in the immunization coverage of children at different ages.&nbsp;Objectives: The present study was conducted to know the immunization status of children, up to the age of 6 years, and particularly to evaluate the same with regard to the age of the child.&nbsp;Methods:&nbsp;The present study was carried out as a cross sectional study, between September, 2012 and May, 2013 at the pediatric OPD of SRMS Institute of Medical Sciences, Bareilly.&nbsp; A total of 1000 children, aged up to 6 years were included. Immunization status with regard to the doses of BCG, OPV, DPT, DT and measles vaccine given at different time was assessed by interviewing parents and checking immunization cards. An endeavor was also made to know the various factors responsible for incomplete or no immunization through interviewing parents.&nbsp;Results:&nbsp;Over all, number of children with complete, partial and no immunization were 41.4%, 44.8% and 13.8% respectively. An inverse correlation exists between the age of the child and the vaccine acceptability - lesser the age, better is the coverage. Besides, a selective pattern is seen, the OPV-1 being the most preferred and DT booster (5-6 years) as the least preferred vaccine.&nbsp;Conclusions:&nbsp;There is need for improving the immunization coverage, particularly for the older children for reducing the burden of vaccine preventable diseases

Effect of betel and lemon aqueous extracts on clinical isolates of Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli causes a plethora of human infections and can be difficult to treat due to biofilm formation and high degree of antibiotic resistance. Hence, natural inhibitory compounds are being studied against this pathogen. Our study evaluated the inhibitory role of paan leaf and lemon on this pathogen. Both paan leaf and lemon juice showed inhibition of growth and virulence factors at 4 g% concentration. This can show the road for further studies to characterize these inhibitory natural moieties

Genetically modified Cotton species detection by LISS-III satellite data

It is possible to infer the genetically modified species by using remotely sensed data. Using ERDAS software the algorithm of BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) Cotton in Punjab, India was developed successfully. GPS enabled space technology has the potential to identify the exact location of Bt Cotton by generating Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for the calculation of total area covered by this species. It was possible to develop a correlation in between genetically modified Cotton crop and NDVI value. In parts of Bhatinda district of Punjab the yield of Bt Cotton and NDVI showing R2 value of more than 4.5 in regression analysis. A correlation matrix was also generated which shows that NDVI values of BT cotton has reasonably acceptable correlation with Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) of soil and water also

Genetically modified Cotton species detection by LISS-III satellite data

It is possible to infer the genetically modified species by using remotely sensed data. Using ERDAS software the algorithm of BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) Cotton in Punjab, India was developed successfully. GPS enabled space technology has the potential to identify the exact location of Bt Cotton by generating Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for the calculation of total area covered by this species. It was possible to develop a correlation in between genetically modified Cotton crop and NDVI value. In parts of Bhatinda district of Punjab the yield of Bt Cotton and NDVI showed R2 value of more than 4.5 in regression analysis. A correlation matrix was also generated which shows that NDVI values of BT cotton also has reasonably acceptable correlation with Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) of soil and water

Autofocusing and self-healing of partially blocked circular Airy derivative beams

We numerically and experimentally study the autofocusing and self-healing of partially blocked circular Airy derivative beams (CADBs). The CADB consists of multiple rings, and partial blocking of CADB with different kinds is achieved by using symmetric and asymmetric binary amplitude masks, enabling blocking of inner/outer rings and sectorially. The CADB blocked with different types possesses the ability to autofocus, however, the required propagation distance for abrupt autofocusing vary with the amount and types of blocking. The abrupt autofocusing is quantified by a maximum k-value, and how fast it changes around the autofocusing distance ($z_{af}$). In particular, CADB blocked with inner rings (first/two/three) exhibits an abrupt autofocusing, as the k-value sharply increases [decreases] just before [after] $z_{af}$. The maximum k-value always occurs at $z_{af}$, which decreases as the number of blocked inner rings increases. For CADB blocked with outer rings, the k-value gradually changes around $z_{af}$, indicating a lack of abrupt autofocusing. The value of $z_{af}$ increases with the number of blocked outer rings. This suggests that although outer rings contain low intensities, these play an important role in autofocusing. A sectorially blocked CADB possesses an abrupt autofocusing, and maximum k-value depends on the amount of blocking. The CADB blocked with different types possesses good self-healing abilities, where blocked parts reappear as a result of redistribution of intensity. The maximum self-healing occurs at $z_{af}$, where an overlap integral approaches a maximum value. Finally, we have compared ideal CADB and partially blocked CADB having the same radii, and found that an ideal CADB possesses better abrupt autofocusing. We have found a good agreement between the numerical simulations and experimental results.Comment: 16 pages, 20 figure