Selection of commercially available scooters by new MCDM method

This paper presents the application of the new method in the process of making the decisions on the scooters selection. The Fuzzy AHP method was used to obtain the weight coefficients of criteria, on the basis of which the alternatives were evaluated. The selection of criteria for evaluating scooters was based on an analysis of available manufacturer website. The evaluation and selection of scooters was carried out using a new multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) method. The present study tries to identify the attributes like kerb weight, mileage, top speed, fuel tank capacity and price playing prominent role in the buying behavior of the working women while purchasing scooters. Fuzzy-AHP method has been used to obtain the relative weights of the criteria, on the basis of which the alternatives are evaluated using new MCDM. The TOPSIS and MABAC methods were tested under the same conditions. The stability of the result obtained by this method is established through a sensitivity analysis

Optimization of stable recipe of semi interpenetrating polymeric network based on the diffusivity and swelling percentage

The hydrophilic nature of semi interpenetrating polymeric network hydrogels (SIPN) bestows a wide spectrum of applications of such systems establishing it as a remarkable material in polymer technology. A SIPN of Polyacrylamide and Glutaraldehyde mediated crosslinked Poly Vinyl Alcohol can be synthesized with variety of combinations of the basic constituents with variable state parameters. In this work we report the fabrication of SIPN matrix hydrogel prepared as small cylinders of length about 2.0 cm and diameter about 0.8 cm in which the constituents are varied in a sequential manner to attain the optimum parametric condition of state of Acrylamide, Glutaraldehyde and Poly Vinyl Alcohol established on the basis of water transport properties based on the diffusivity and swelling percentage studies of the SIPN prepared. We believe this study will pave the way to a new methodology to achieve optimum conditions of precursors in SIPN

Strengthening individual and family resilience against leprosy-related discrimination: a pilot intervention study

Background: Leprosy and leprosy-related stigma can have a major impact on psychosocial wellbeing of persons affected and their family members. Resilience is a process that incorporates many of the core skills and abilities which may enable people to address stigma and discrimination. The current study aimed to develop and pilot an intervention to strengthen individual and family resilience against leprosy-related discrimination. Methodology: We used a quasi-experimental, before-after study design with a mixed methods approach. The 10-week family-based intervention was designed to strengthen the resilience of individuals and families by enhancing their protective abilities and capacity to overcome adversity. The study was conducted in two sites, urban areas in Telangana state, and in rural areas in Odisha state, India. Persons affected and their family members were included using purposive sampling. Two questionnaires were used pre-and post-intervention: the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC, maximum score 100, with high scores reflecting greater resilience) and the WHOQOL-BREF (maximum score of 130, with higher scores reflecting higher quality of life). In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted post-intervention. Data were collected at baseline, a few weeks after completion of the intervention, and in the Odisha cohort again at six months after completion. Paired t-tests measured differences pre-and post-intervention. Qualitative data were thematically analysed. Findings Eighty participants across 20 families were included in the study (23 persons affected and 57 family members). We found a significant increase in CD-RISC scores for persons affected and family members from Odisha state (baseline 46.5, first follow-up 77.0, second follow-up 70.0), this improvement was maintained at six-month follow-up. There was no increase in CD-RISC scores post-intervention among participants from Telangana state. WHOQOL-BREF scores were significantly higher at follow-up for persons affected in both states, and for family members in Odisha state. No families dropped out of the study. In the qualitative feedback, all participants described drawing benefit from the programme. Participants especially appreciated the social dimensions of the intervention. Conclusion: This pilot study showed that the 10-week family-based intervention to strengthen resilience among persons affected by leprosy and their family members was feasible, and has the potential to improve resilience and quality of life. A large-scale efficacy trial is necessary to determine the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of the intervention

Medical abortion provision by pharmacies and drug sellers in low-and middle-income countries : a systematic review

This study was funded by the Strengthening Evidence for Programming on Unintended Pregnancy (STEP-UP) Research Consortium, which is funded by UKaid from the Department for International DevelopmentWe undertook a systematic review to assess 1) the level and quality of pharmacy and drug shop provision of medical abortion (MA) in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) and 2) interventions to improve quality of provision. We used standardized terms to search six databases for peer‐reviewed and grey literature. We double‐extracted data using a standardized template, and double‐graded studies for methodological quality. We identified 22 studies from 16 countries reporting on level and quality of MA provision through pharmacies and drug sellers, and three intervention studies. Despite widespread awareness and provision of MA drugs, even in legally restricted contexts, most studies found that pharmacy workers and drug sellers had poor knowledge of effective regimens. Evidence on interventions to improve pharmacy and drug shop provision of MA was limited and generally low quality, but indicated that training could be effective in improving knowledge. Programmatic attention should focus on the development and rigorous evaluation of innovative interventions to improve women's access to information about MA self‐management in low‐and middle‐income countries.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Gliotoxin, identified from a screen of fungal metabolites, disrupts 7SK snRNP, releases P-TEFb, and reverses HIV-1 latency

A leading pharmacological strategy toward HIV cure requires "shock" or activation of HIV gene expression in latently infected cells with latency reversal agents (LRAs) followed by their subsequent clearance. In a screen for novel LRAs, we used fungal secondary metabolites as a source of bioactive molecules. Using orthogonal mass spectrometry (MS) coupled to latency reversal bioassays, we identified gliotoxin (GTX) as a novel LRA. GTX significantly induced HIV-1 gene expression in latent ex vivo infected primary cells and in CD4+ T cells from all aviremic HIV-1+ participants. RNA sequencing identified 7SK RNA, the scaffold of the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) inhibitory 7SK small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) complex, to be significantly reduced upon GTX treatment of CD4+ T cells. GTX directly disrupted 7SK snRNP by targeting La-related protein 7 (LARP7), releasing active P-TEFb, which phosphorylated RNA polymerase II (Pol II) C-terminal domain (CTD), inducing HIV transcription

Wilson’s disease: a cognitive neuropsychological perspective

Background: Wilson’s disease manifests as neuro-psychological or psychiatric symptoms along with neurological and liver disease. The present study aimed to probe into the declarative and non-declarative memory profile of Wilson’s disease patients from a neurocognitive perspective. Methods: The study involved a sample of 12 Wilson’s disease patients and 12 matched non-patient individuals who were assessed on Global Assessment Scale for Wilson’s disease, the Edinburgh handedness inventory, memory scales from PGI Battery of Brain Dysfunction, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, and mirror tracing task. Results: The overall result indicated that the Wilson’s disease patient group differed with their non-patient counterparts with respect to immediate memory, recall, recognition, semantic memory, and procedural learning. Conclusion: The neural substrates related to the neuro-psychological symptoms of Wilson’s disease patients are found to be a neural network involving basal ganglia, fronto-striatal circuits, and cerebellar region

Assessment of Bundle of Measures Perioperatively to Decrease the Incidence of Surgical Site Wound Infection in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Hysterectomies

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the second most common reason for unplanned hospital readmissions after hysterectomy and result in increased morbidity and health care costs. The estimated rate of SSI after hysterectomy varies between 1% and 4%. The objective of the study is to investigate if a bundle of perioperative measures (as stated earlier) reduces down the incidence of post-operative surgical site wound infection after abdominal hysterectomy. Materials and Methods: The present prospective study was carried out on total 200 women who were undergo hysterectomy in the operation theater of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of IPGMER and SSKM Hospital due to gynecological conditions requiring hysterectomy. Four perioperative bundles of measures are considered – 1. chlorhexidine gluconate and Cetrimide solution (Savlon) wash of the operative field 1 h before the operation, 2. administration of single dose antibiotic (Inj. Ceftriaxone 1 g intravenous) 1 h or less before the incision, 3. vaginal wash with povidone-iodine, and 4. sterile dressing is to be maintained and removed postoperatively after 48 h. Result: We found that in case, 94 (94.0%) patients had Ceftriaxone and 6 (6.0%) patients had clindamycin and gentamicin. In control, 96 (96.0%) patients had ceftriaxone and 4 (4.0%) patients had clindamycin and gentamicin. Association of choice of antibiotic versus group was not statistically significant (P = 0.5164). In case, 6 (6.0%) patients had wound gaping. In control, 11 (11.0%) patients had wound gaping. Association of wound gaping versus group was statistically significant (P = 0.048). Conclusion: The present study found that hospital stay was more in control compared to case which was statistically significant. Fever was more in control compared to case which was statistically significant. In this study, local wound discharge was more in control compared to case which was statistically significant. It was found that wound gaping was more in control compared to case which was statistically significant