Avascular necrosis of the hip: A unique presentation of pseudohypoparathyroidism

Pseudohypoparathyroidism is a rare, heterogeneous disorder characterized by parathyroid hormone resistance. Its association with avascular necrosis of the hip has been reported infrequently in the past. We report the case of a 27-year-old lady with pseudohypoparathyroidism Type 1 whose initial presentation was with avascular necrosis of bilateral hip. Apart from the common clinical features of pseudohypoparathyroidism, clinicians should also be aware of the rarer resentations such as avascular necrosis. A good clinical history and physical examination are warranted for early diagnosis in order to prevent serious morbidity in thesepatients

Cerebral Palsy risk factors associated with pregnancy and delivery

Objective: To identify and analyze the risk factors associated with pregnancy and delivery that contribute to the development of cerebral palsy in children. Material and Methods: To better understand what factors lead to cerebral palsy in children, a cross-sectional study was conducted at the CRP pediatric hospital in Savar, Dhaka. The study's sample size of 56 was reached by a convenience sample of mothers of children with cerebral palsy. In-person interviews were conducted utilizing a survey instrument translated into Bengali or the native tongue and then pilot tested. Excel and SPSS were used for statistical analysis. Informed consent and confidentiality were ensured under ethical guidelines. Results: The data shows past socioeconomic variables. Population age distribution: 37.50% 29–35. 88.1% were Muslim. 59% rural residential areas. 35.70% SSC education.  85.7% had two or more children, 45.6% under three. 55% were males, 45% female. 41% of pregnancies had issues, and 24.9% of women underwent abortions. Normal births were 51.80% and cesarean sections 48.20%. Post-birth statistics included crying immediately (34%), yellowish eyes (50%), fever with seizures (61%), head injuries (48%), and birth hypoxia (38%). 35.70% were born at home, 30.40% in hospitals (17.90% public, 16.10% private). Figure 3 showed hypertension (20%), diabetes (16%), and anemia (23%). Age, religion, education, number of children, past abortions, delivery method, and birthplace were correlated. Diabetes, hypertension, anemia, and birthplace were unrelated. Conclusion: Awareness of cerebral palsy is poor despite its prevalence. In developed country physiotherapy is considered as an important treatment for cerebral palsy children. Quantitative research was used to survey pediatric patients and identify risk variables in this study. Factors shared by many were old age, illiteracy, and origins in rural areas. Risk recognition and mitigation must be prioritized

Changes and drivers of freshwater mussel diversity and distribution in northern Borneo

Human activities are threatening Borneo's unique biodiversity, but little is known on the status of freshwater invertebrates. We assessed changes in diversity and distribution of freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida) in northern Borneo, and identified drivers of present distribution and threats. Past distribution data were collected from literature and museum resources. Present distribution data were collected from 21 river basins, and 47 water quality, climatic, landscape and human variables explored as potential predictors of species presence/absence. Species delimitations were identified by morphology and COI barcoding, and haplotype networks generated. Our data indicate that over the past 50 years, four of originally five native species have become very rare or possibly locally extirpated. Since these four species are endemic to Borneo, other Bornean river basins should urgently be surveyed to identify any remaining populations. In the same time span, the non-native Sinanodonta woodiana has become the most widespread freshwater mussel in northern Borneo. The fifth native species was identified as Rectidens sumatrensis and found in four Sarawakian river basins, thus contradicting previous assumptions of an endemic Bornean Rectidens species. Although a number of stable R. sumatrensis populations are retained across Sarawak, the species' strong spatial contraction in mainland Sundaland and apparent low tolerance to eutrophication suggest that it is vulnerable to further habitat alteration. Our results indicate that Borneo's (endemic) freshwater invertebrate biodiversity is declining rapidly. Comprehensive surveys targeting an array of invertebrate and vertebrate taxa are needed to identify Borneo's freshwater biodiversity hotspots, where conservation efforts should be concentrated

When do referees shirk in a peer review process?

This note obtains conditions for existence of shirking referees in peer review process. When referees are heterogeneous say, bad (b) and good (g), only for a medium range of probability of getting a good paper p, both referees prefer reading over shirking. It never happens that b reads while g shirks. Both prefer ‘shirking and rejecting (accepting)’ if p is low (high) enough. The paper shows that a two-referee cross-examination review reduces the error of accepting a bad paper, though for a small range of probability

Migration in a model of occupational choice

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretical explanation for the empirical observation that the relative migration of unskilled (skilled) labor tends to occur from developing economies that are relatively unequal (equal). Design/methodology/approach – Wealth inequality is related with migration incentives of skilled and unskilled labor in a model of occupational choice using a two-period overlapping generations framework. Findings – It is shown that high inequality creates a disincentive to migrate for skilled labor. Too much equality however creates a disincentive to migrate for unskilled labor. Thus, a highly unequal (equal) economy sustains unskilled (skilled) labor migration only. Originality/value – Relative to the existing theoretical literature on migration, the distinguishing feature of this model is that it has entrepreneurship as an alternative occupational choice. This implies that the incentive to migrate is not affected solely by wage differentials across countries. It is shown that in a highly unequal developing economy there is no skilled migration – despite the gap between the skilled wage of the source economy and that of the foreign economy – in equilibrium.Distribution of wealth, Economic development, Jobs, Migrant workers

Technology and outsourcing: An explanation to the rising wage gap

The recent phenomenon of widening skilled-unskilled wage gap in both North and South has been either explained by a technological change or by increasing trade or globalization. The paper provides a new explanation and emphasizes that it is neither technology nor trade alone but both that have contributed to the widening wage inequality. It argues, using a two-country occupational choice model, that any technological improvement in North results in a rise in the skilled-unskilled wage gap in North via an increase in the productivity of skilled labor followed by a rise in the same in South via trade or the outsourcing activities of the northern firms. The extent of outsourcing or the number of northern firms that outsource jobs to South is endogenously determined in the model. The paper also analyzes some major economic impacts of such a technological upgradation in North on the southern economy.Occupational choice Outsourcing Technological improvement Wage gap Wealth inequality

Estimating Skill Mismatch in the Indian Labour Market: A Regional Dimension

International audienceThe article provides an overview of the very pertinent skill mismatch issue in the Indian labour market. It specifically looks into the state-wise overeducation rates, a type of vertical skill mismatch where the education level of the worker exceeds the job requirements. The article tries to provide a regional dimension to the estimates of overeducation and addresses the problem by linking it to the incidence of vocational training among employees. Given that vocational training plays an important role in imparting industry-relevant skills, the article recommends its expansion as a necessary factor for curbing overeducation in states lagging in the industrial sector. Using the recent Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data, the article unveils trends in recent years where, though the propensity to take vocational training has increased, it is not sufficient to meet the industry’s demands. Also, the stunted proportion of individuals with government-sponsored vocational training signals either inferior quality or low access. The later fact is reinstated when we look at the bias towards higher income households in undertaking such training. Apart from the need to address the supply side of skilled labour, by making training programmes more inclusive, there is also a need to address the demand side to ensure proper alignment between the skills derived from training programmes and those required by the industry. Besides, given the huge informal labour market, there is an urgent need for proper certification and recognition of skills derived from training programmes to ensure their productive employment. The article shows a severe imbalance between the demand and supply sides and calls for active participation of different stakeholders, including the private sector, to address the problem. In this regard, the article shows instances of successful implementation of vocational training facilities in other countries, which can form a basis for rolling out well-defined and coherent programmes

A Comprehensive Review on Third-Generation Photovoltaic Technologies

The renewable energy industry has revolutionized due to photovoltaic (PV) technologies, which offer a clean and sustainable alternative to conventional energy sources. Third-generation photovoltaic technologies refer to a group of emerging PV technologies aiming to surpass the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of traditional silicon-based solar cells. Different ceramic materials have also been investigated for use in these advanced PV technologies. This review examines the science, current state, and advancements of third-generation PV systems for wide-scale implementation. The first section of this study provides an overview of the development of PV technologies from the first to the third generation, highlighting the most significant novel developments made at each step. Organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), and perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are discussed here as a few new technologies that constitute the third generation, also known as the next generation of advanced PV. This review presents how these devices can be used in specialized settings, including indoor and low-light environments, thereby expanding the range of energy harvesting potential. The brief history of these emerging technologies, their current status, future developments, and key challenges are discussed in this review paper