473 research outputs found

    Mapping the Spatial Deprivation of Pakistan

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    Geographical targeting may be a viable way to allocate resources for poverty alleviation in developing countries. Efficiency can be increased, and leakages to the nonpoor reduced substantially, by targeting needy areas. A national and regional database of substantial poverty maps or deprivation indices are not readily available in Pakistan. Further, existing activities of poverty alleviation are carried out on ad hoc basis in the absence of identified pockets of poverty. This paper presents indices of multiple deprivations based on the 1998 Population and Housing Census data. Possible applications of this exercise include identifying areas of need, making decisions on regional and sectoral priorities, facilitating targeted public interventions through special poverty alleviation programmes, understanding the relationship between poverty and its causes, and helping federal and provincial governments in determining financial awards.

    Reproducibility of the dynamics of facial expressions in unilateral facial palsy

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    The aim of this study was to assess the reproducibility of non-verbal facial expressions in unilateral facial paralysis using dynamic four-dimensional (4D) imaging. The Di4D system was used to record five facial expressions of 20 adult patients. The system captured 60 three-dimensional (3D) images per second; each facial expression took 3–4 seconds which was recorded in real time. Thus a set of 180 3D facial images was generated for each expression. The procedure was repeated after 30 min to assess the reproducibility of the expressions. A mathematical facial mesh consisting of thousands of quasi-point ‘vertices’ was conformed to the face in order to determine the morphological characteristics in a comprehensive manner. The vertices were tracked throughout the sequence of the 180 images. Five key 3D facial frames from each sequence of images were analyzed. Comparisons were made between the first and second capture of each facial expression to assess the reproducibility of facial movements. Corresponding images were aligned using partial Procrustes analysis, and the root mean square distance between them was calculated and analyzed statistically (paired Student ttest, P < 0.05). Facial expressions of lip purse, cheek puff, and raising of eyebrows were reproducible. Facial expressions of maximum smile and forceful eye closure were not reproducible. The limited coordination of various groups of facial muscles contributed to the lack of reproducibility of these facial expressions. 4D imaging is a useful clinical tool for the assessment of facial expressions

    Computational Complexity Comparison Of Multi-Sensor Single Target Data Fusion Methods By Matlab

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    Target tracking using observations from multiple sensors can achieve better estimation performance than a single sensor. The most famous estimation tool in target tracking is Kalman filter. There are several mathematical approaches to combine the observations of multiple sensors by use of Kalman filter. An important issue in applying a proper approach is computational complexity. In this paper, four data fusion algorithms based on Kalman filter are considered including three centralized and one decentralized methods. Using MATLAB, computational loads of these methods are compared while number of sensors increases. The results show that inverse covariance method has the best computational performance if the number of sensors is above 20. For a smaller number of sensors, other methods, especially group sensors, are more appropriate.

    The prevalence and risk factors of mental disorders among students in Ilam: A cross-sectional study

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    Background and aims: Students experience some degrees of mental disorders during their life. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors of mental disorders among the secondary school students in Ilam, Iran. Methods: This is a cross sectional study, carried out among the secondary school students in Ilam, Iran. We assessed 841 students including 446 males and 395 females from all grades of secondary school. A multistage cluster sampling method was used. Data were collected using two instruments including both demographic information questionnaire and DSM-IV. SPSS software was used to analyze the data of this project. Results: Totally, 841 secondary students were studied. Overall 34.96 of all the participants of the study had mental disorders. The Mean ± SD of participants' age and gender has not significant differences between groups (P>0.05). The results show that anxiety disorders are the most common disorder among the study population. Although no one in the study population had an adaptation disorders. Conclusion: About a third of students in Ilam province experience the mental disorders. So, we suggest that the school counselors consider pay attention to this important issue in their consulting planning

    Evaluation of the drug synergistic and antibacterial effects of methanol extracts of Callistemon viminalis on some urinary tract infection bacteria

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    Background and aims: Urinary tract infection is considered as one of the most common clinical problems in the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction effects of pharmaceutical and antibacterial activity of methanol extracts of Callistemon viminalis on a number of bacteria that cause urinary tract infections. Methods: In this experimental research, after drying leaves, extracts were prepared using methanol. The minimum lethal activity of 500, 250 and 125 µg/ml concentrations of the extracts on the standard bacteria was tested using disk diffusion and dilution method. In order to study the synergistic and antagonistic effect, a standard strains of bacteria was cultured on the medium containing methanol extract and then antibiotic discs were put on it. Results: According to the results of disk diffusion test in Agar, the highest inhibition zone diameter in 500 µg/ml was related to Staphylococcus epidermidis and the minimum diameter in this concentration was related to E. coli. Study MIC results was showed that the extract of Callistemon viminalis has the highest inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus saprophyticus and epidermidis. The extracts of Callistemon viminalis showed synergistic effects with vancomycine and ciprofloxacin on Staphylococcus aureus and epidermidis, Proteus vulgaris and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that extracts of Callistemon viminalis , alone or in combination with antibacterial agents may be useful in treatment of urinary tract infections. Additionally, this component can enhance the effect of some antibiotics; this implies its application, especially in drug resistance cases

    Determine the Association Between Nurses Self-Concept and Clinical Performance Among Nursing Students

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    Self-concept in clinical performance had an important role in applying competencies and self-concept in clinical performance influenced to quality care of nursing students. Self-concept is the key point for patient care by the student nurses which is established with continues education, gaining knowledge, learning skills and making attitudes. The purpose of the study is to determine the association between nurses self concept and clinical performance among nursing students. Descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in the school of nursing at Jinnah hospital Lahore. The study data were collected using a questionnaire which consisted of Nursing Self Concept Questionnaire (NSCQ) and Six Dimension Scale of nurse performance 6-(DSNP). Pearson Correlation test was used to explore the relationship of variables. The results of the study show that clinical performance and professional self-concept are related. These findings can be helpful to teachers, authorities at nursing colleges, and nursing managers. Keywords: Professional Self concept; clinical performance; nursing students. DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/61-09 Publication date: April 30th 201

    Cordycepin for Health and Wellbeing: A Potent Bioactive Metabolite of an Entomopathogenic Medicinal Fungus Cordyceps with Its Nutraceutical and Therapeutic Potential

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    Cordyceps is a rare naturally occurring entomopathogenic fungus usually found at high altitudes on the Himalayan plateau and a well-known medicinal mushroom in traditional Chinese medicine. Cordyceps contains various bioactive components, out of which, cordycepin is considered most vital, due to its utmost therapeutic as well as nutraceutical potential. Moreover, the structure similarity of cordycepin with adenosine makes it an important bioactive component, with difference of only hydroxyl group, lacking in the 3′ position of its ribose moiety. Cordycepin is known for various nutraceutical and therapeutic potential, such as anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemia, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-aging, anticancer, antiviral, hepato-protective, hypo-sexuality, cardiovascular diseases, antimalarial, anti-osteoporotic, anti-arthritic, cosmeceutical etc. which makes it a most valuable medicinal mushroom for helping in maintaining good health. In this review, effort has been made to bring altogether the possible wide range of cordycepin’s nutraceutical potential along with its pharmacological actions and possible mechanism. Additionally, it also summarizes the details of cordycepin based nutraceuticals predominantly available in the market with expected global value. Moreover, this review will attract the attention of food scientists, nutritionists, pharmaceutical and food industries to improve the use of bioactive molecule cordycepin for nutraceutical purposes with commercialization to aid and promote healthy lifestyle, wellness and wellbeing

    Acute electrocardiogram pseudoinfarction pattern and reversible left ventricular systolic dysfunction in a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperkalemia: a case report

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    Coexisting myocardial infarction (MI) and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) are the most common causes of death in diabetic patients. We report a patient with ischemic heart disease manifestations who was finally diagnosed to have DKA as a predisposing factor. The case we present in this paper is a 57-year-old man who was found unconscious in a hotel and presented with complaints of vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. He had severe dyspnea and chest pain radiating to his back. He had ST-segment elevation in anterior leads on electrocardiogram (ECG), with non-obstructive coronary artery disease in the subsequent heart catheterization. MI patients should be treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or fibrinolytic agents, but pseudoinfarction due to DKA responds to medical treatment. Thus, it is also important to know that coexistence of both DKA and MI is possible, and neglecting such situations can lead to lethal consequences

    ASSESSMENT OF NURSES’ PRACTICES REGARDING BED-BATH OF CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL LAHORE

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    Introduction: Every day bed-bath are normally accommodated most basically sick patients to improve their cleanliness, advance solace and improve wellbeing results. Fundamentally sick patients are at more serious hazard for skin colonization and contamination with multidrug-resistance pathogenic organisms. Hence, it is imperative to furnish basically sick patient with powerful close to home cleanliness particularly bed-bath as poor cleanliness may expand the danger of contamination. Methodology: quantitative observational descriptive study design was used to assess the nurses’ practices regarding bed-bath of critically ill patients. In order to assess nurses practiced, data was collected through the standardized checklist regarding bed bath. The check consists of 51 items. Results: The findings of this study revealed that there is poor practices of nurses regarding bed bath of critically ill patients. Conclusion: This study has described an important basic nursing care that is bed-bath practice in critically ill patient. Although, bed-bath is a routine nursing procedure, critical care nurses in the current study had poor skills and practices regarding it. This study has implications for clinical practice and nursing research. Bed-bath is a routine nursing care; many nurses understand that bathing is just for cleaning. Therefore, Inservice training program should be conducted Key words: bed bath, practice, critical, patient. DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/74-08 Publication date:May 31st 202

    Suicidal Ideation in Patients With Gender Identity Disorder in Western Iran From March 2019 to March 2020

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    Background: In recent years, the number of patients with gender identity disorder (GID) has rapidly increased. These people are at risk of adverse life events that influence their health and wellbeing. Research studies have also shown a significant rate of suicide in these individuals. This study aims to determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation in patients with GID referred to Legal Medicine Office in Ilam Province.Methods: In study sample comprised 21 patients without psychiatric comorbidity visited the Legal Medicine Office in Ilam Province for confirmation of transsexuals from March 2019 to March 2020. GID disorder was diagnosed through a GIDYQ (A-A) questionnaire and clinical interview. The Beck scale for suicide ideation was used to clarify and measure the intensity of attitudes, behaviors, and planning for a suicide attempt.Results: In 21 patients with GID, the average score for suicide ideation was 11.6. The average age of patients was 19 years, and all of them were single. In this sample, 19.1% had low risks, 71.5% high risks, 9.5% had very high-risk suicide ideation. Linear regression analysis showed that higher education and higher age were risk factors for suicide ideation in patients with GID.Conclusion: The high rate of suicidal ideation in patients with gender identity disorder makes it essential to pay attention to their mental health. It should be noted that suicidal thoughts can be a basis for suicide attempts
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