Understanding Job Stress among Healthcare Staff

Introduction: Job life is an important part of a person’s daily life. There are many aspects of a job. A person may be satisfied with one or more aspects of his/her job but at the same time may be unhappy with other things related to the job. Objective: To evaluate the sources of job stress (stressful aspects of work) among the staff of a super specialty hospital & to suggest measures to decrease level of job stress. Methodology: Descriptive study employing 381 staff members of a super specialty hospital using a structured personal interview questionnaire consisting of 21 sources of stress. The hospital staff was asked to rate each item according to the extent to which it had contributed to their stress as experienced in their jobs in the past few months on a scale of 0 (not at all),1(a little), 2(quite a bit), 3 (a lot). A global rating of stress was also obtained. Result: The prime sources of stress were found to be underpayment (76%), excessive workload (70.3%), inadequate staff (48.6), & being involved in the emotional distress of patients (46.7%). Conclusion: The staffs of the hospital were in moderate stress due to the prime stressors so adequate measures should be taken to alleviate these stressors. This could be achieved through workload management, job redesign, & by offering occupational health education

Incidence and medical management of bisphosphonate-associated atypical femoral fractures in a major trauma centre: a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND: Atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) are rare events associated with increased duration of bisphosphonate exposure. Recommended management of AFFs include cessation of bisphosphonates and imaging of the contralateral femur. The aims of this study were to identify the local incidence of AFFs in bisphosphonate users and to audit the medical management of AFFs against published recommendations. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the admissions database for a major trauma centre identified all femoral fractures (3150) in a five-year period (July 2009 to June 2014). Electronic health records and radiographs were reviewed using the 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) diagnostic criteria for AFF to establish the number of cases. To estimate incidence, the total number of bisphosphonate users was derived from primary care prescription and secondary care day-case records. Medical management of cases with AFF on bisphosphonates was audited against guidance from ASBMR and Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. RESULTS: 10 out of 3150 femoral fractures met criteria for AFF; 7 of these patients had a history of exposure to bisphosphonates (6 oral, 1 intravenous). There were 19.1 AFFs per 100,000 years of bisphosphonate use in our region. Bisphosphonates were stopped and the contralateral femur imaged in only 2 of the 7 patients treated with bisphosphonates. CONCLUSION: Our local incidence is in line with published figures; however, this is the first published evidence suggesting that medical management and identification of AFF may be suboptimal. Managing these patients remains challenging due to their rarity and possible lack of awareness

Growth and Optical Properties of Pure and Calcium doped Cadmium Tartrate Crystals by Silica Gel Method

In the present course of investigation, pure and calcium doped cadmium tartrate crystals were grown in silica gel at room temperature. The optimum conditions were obtained by varying various parameters such as pH of gel, concentration of gel, gel setting time, concentration of reactants etc. Crystals having different morphologies were obtained such as whitish semitransparent, star shaped, needle shaped crystals. Especially, effect of doping of calcium into cadmium tartrate has been studied with respect of size and transparency. It is found that doping enhances the size and transparency of the crystals. As grown crystals was characterized using scanning electronic microscope (SEM), UV, Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX)

Farmakokinetika ceftriaksona u teladi

The pharmacokinetics of ceftriaxone was determined after a single intravenous and intramuscular administration at the dose rate of 10 mg/kg in crossbred cow calves. The drug concentration in plasma was quantified through High Performance Liquid Chromatography with UV detection. Following intravenous administration the drug was rapidly distributed (t1/2α: 0.13 ± 0.01 h; Vd(area); 0.44 ± 0.07 L/kg) and eliminated (t1/2β: 1.58 ± 0.06 h) from the body with a clearance rate of 3.15 ± 0.41 mL/min/kg. Following intramuscular administration, the peak plasma drug concentration (Cmax) was 15.34 ± 2.39 μg/mL at 0.25 hours (Tmax) suggesting very rapid absorption. The drug was extensively distributed (Vd(area): 1.16 ± 0.15 L/kg) and slowly eliminated (t1/2β: 5.02 ± 0.51 hours; Cl(B): 2.71 ± 0.29 mL/min/kg) following intramuscular administration. The absolute bioavailability of ceftriaxone was 47.0 ± 5.0% following intramuscular injection. However, it can be used at a dosage of 10 mg/kg intramuscularly, repeated at twelve-hourly intervals, for the treatment of susceptible bacteria infections in calves.Farmakokinetika ceftriaksona određivana je u križane teladi nakon njegove jednokratne intravenske i intramuskularne primjene u dozi od 10 mg/kg. Koncentracija lijeka u plazmi određivana je tekućinskom kromatografifi jom visokog učinka s UV zrakama. Raspodjela lijeka bila je brza nakon intravenske primjene (t1/2α: 0,13 ± 0,01 h; Vd(area): 0,44 ± 0,07 L/kg), a izlučivanje (t1/2β: 1,58 ± 0,06 h) iz tijela s klirensom od 3,15 ± 0,41 mL/min/kg. Nakon intramuskularne primjene vršna koncentracija u plazmi iznosila je (Cmax) 15,34 ± 2,39 μg/mL tijekom 0,25 sati (Tmax) što upućuje na vrlo brzu apsorpciju. Raspodjela lijeka bila je izrazito dobra (Vd(area) 1,16 ± 0,15 L/kg), a izlučivanje sporo (t1/2β: 5,02 ± 0,51 sati; Cl(B): 2,71 ± 0,29 mL/min/kg) nakon intramuskularne primjene. Apsolutna biološka raspoloživost nakon intramuskularne primjene ceftriaksona iznosila je 47,0 ± 5,0%. Međutim, on se može rabiti u dozi od 10 mg/kg i.m. te ponavljati u razmacima od 12 sati radi liječenja bakterijskih zaraza u teladi

Reduced suppressive effect of beta(2)-adrenoceptor agonist on fibrocyte function in severe asthma

Background Patients with severe asthma have increased airway remodelling and elevated numbers of circulating fibrocytes with enhanced myofibroblastic differentiation capacity, despite being treated with high doses of corticosteroids, and long acting β2-adrenergic receptor (AR) agonists (LABAs). We determined the effect of β2-AR agonists, alone or in combination with corticosteroids, on fibrocyte function. Methods Non-adherent non-T cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from healthy subjects and patients with non-severe or severe asthma were treated with the β2-AR agonist, salmeterol, in the presence or absence of the corticosteroid dexamethasone. The number of fibrocytes (collagen I+/CD45+ cells) and differentiating fibrocytes (α-smooth muscle actin+ cells), and the expression of CC chemokine receptor 7 and of β2-AR were determined using flow cytometry. The role of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) was elucidated using the cAMP analogue 8-bromoadenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP) and the phosphodiesterase type IV (PDE4) inhibitor, rolipram. Results Salmeterol reduced the proliferation, myofibroblastic differentiation and CCR7 expression of fibrocytes from healthy subjects and non-severe asthma patients. Fibrocytes from severe asthma patients had a lower baseline surface β2-AR expression and were relatively insensitive to salmeterol but not to 8-Br-cAMP or rolipram. Dexamethasone increased β2-AR expression and enhanced the inhibitory effect of salmeterol on severe asthma fibrocyte differentiation. Conclusions Fibrocytes from patients with severe asthma are relatively insensitive to the inhibitory effects of salmeterol, an effect which is reversed by combination with corticosteroids

A Testable Solution of the Cosmological Constant and Coincidence Problems

We present a new solution to the cosmological constant (CC) and coincidence problems in which the observed value of the CC, $\Lambda$, is linked to other observable properties of the universe. This is achieved by promoting the CC from a parameter which must to specified, to a field which can take many possible values. The observed value of Lambda ~ 1/(9.3 Gyrs)^2$(approximately 10^(-120) in Planck units) is determined by a new constraint equation which follows from the application of a causally restricted variation principle. When applied to our visible universe, the model makes a testable prediction for the dimensionless spatial curvature of Omega_k0 = -0.0056 s_b/0.5; where s_b ~ 1/2 is a QCD parameter. Requiring that a classical history exist, our model determines the probability of observing a given Lambda. The observed CC value, which we successfully predict, is typical within our model even before the effects of anthropic selection are included. When anthropic selection effects are accounted for, we find that the observed coincidence between t_Lambda = Lambda^(-1/2) and the age of the universe, t_U, is a typical occurrence in our model. In contrast to multiverse explanations of the CC problems, our solution is independent of the choice of a prior weighting of different$\Lambda$-values and does not rely on anthropic selection effects. Our model includes no unnatural small parameters and does not require the introduction of new dynamical scalar fields or modifications to general relativity, and it can be tested by astronomical observations in the near future.Comment: 31 pages, 4 figures; v2: version accepted by Phys. Rev.

Integrating Kano’s model into WhatsApp quality services

WhatsApp is being used by more than 160 million people in India and 1200 million people in the world which is record-breaking usage statistics in a history. This paper aims to find out the underlying Quality Dimensions and their elements for the features offered by WhatsApp. The authors conducted a survey to know about perceived quality of features based on users’ own feelings. This survey was conducted in the city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat state of India. The research sample consists the responses of 203 WhatsApp users. The authors adapted Kano’s model to further analyse the research objective. Kano’s model helped to identify the quality elements of each listed 19 features of WhatsApp. The subsequent analysis techniques include CSCs (Customer Satisfaction Coefficients), EFA (Exploratory Factor Analysis). From the analysis, the two Quality Dimensions are identified; Additional Features and Essential Features. The research shows that features like and audio calling can increase customer satisfaction from low to medium or high level. These findings can further help App developers to have better insights for designing and developing customer friendly applications.   Key Words: Kano’s Model and Service Quality Elements, Quality Dimensions, WhatsApp in India, Exploratory Factor Analysi

Insights into the role of DNA methylation in diatoms by genome-wide profiling in Phaeodactylum tricornutum

DNA cytosine methylation is a widely conserved epigenetic mark in eukaryotes that appears to have critical roles in the regulation of genome structure and transcription. Genome-wide methylation maps have so far only been established from the supergroups Archaeplastida and Unikont. Here we report the first whole-genome methylome from a stramenopile, the marine model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Around 6% of the genome is intermittently methylated in a mosaic pattern. We find extensive methylation in transposable elements. We also detect methylation in over 320 genes. Extensive gene methylation correlates strongly with transcriptional silencing and differential expression under specific conditions. By contrast, we find that genes with partial methylation tend to be constitutively expressed. These patterns contrast with those found previously in other eukaryotes. By going beyond plants, animals and fungi, this stramenopile methylome adds significantly to our understanding of the evolution of DNA methylation in eukaryotes.Fil: Veluchamy, Alaguraj. Institut de Biologie de l'École Normale Supérieure; FranciaFil: Lin, Xin. Institut de Biologie de l'École Normale Supérieure; Francia. Xiamen University; ChinaFil: Maumus, Florian.Fil: Rivarola, Maximo Lisandro.Fil: Bhavsar, Jaysheel.Fil: Creasy, Todd.Fil: O'Brien, Kimberly.Fil: Sengamalay, Naomi A..Fil: Tallon, Luke J..Fil: Smith, Andrew D..Fil: Rayko, Edda.Fil: Ahmed, Ikhlak.Fil: Crom, Stéphane Le.Fil: Farrant, Gregory K..Fil: Sgro, Jean-Yves.Fil: Olson, Sue A..Fil: Bondurant, Sandra Splinter.Fil: Allen, Andrew.Fil: Rabinowicz, Pablo D..Fil: Sussman, Michael R..Fil: Bowler, Chris.Fil: Tirichine, Leïla

Discovery and Rossiter-McLaughlin Effect of Exoplanet Kepler-8b

We report the discovery and the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect of Kepler-8b, a transiting planet identified by the NASA Kepler Mission. Kepler photometry and Keck-HIRES radial velocities yield the radius and mass of the planet around this F8IV subgiant host star. The planet has a radius RP = 1.419 RJ and a mass, MP = 0.60 MJ, yielding a density of 0.26 g cm^-3, among the lowest density planets known. The orbital period is P = 3.523 days and orbital semima jor axis is 0.0483+0.0006/-0.0012 AU. The star has a large rotational v sin i of 10.5 +/- 0.7 km s^-1 and is relatively faint (V = 13.89 mag), both properties deleterious to precise Doppler measurements. The velocities are indeed noisy, with scatter of 30 m s^-1, but exhibit a period and phase consistent with the planet implied by the photometry. We securely detect the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect, confirming the planet's existence and establishing its orbit as prograde. We measure an inclination between the projected planetary orbital axis and the projected stellar rotation axis of lambda = -26.9 +/- 4.6 deg, indicating a moderate inclination of the planetary orbit. Rossiter-McLaughlin measurements of a large sample of transiting planets from Kepler will provide a statistically robust measure of the true distribution of spin-orbit orientations for hot jupiters in general.Comment: 26 pages, 8 figures, 2 tables; In preparation for submission to the Astrophysical Journa

Prediction Based Efficient Resource Provisioning and Its Impact on QoS Parameters in the Cloud Environment

The purpose of this paper is to provision the on demand resources to the end users as per their need using prediction method in cloud computing environment. The provisioning of virtualized resources to cloud consumers according to their need is a crucial step in the deployment of applications on the cloud. However, the dynamical management of resources for variable workloads remains a challenging problem for cloud providers. This problem can be solved by using a prediction based adaptive resource provisioning mechanism, which can estimate the upcoming resource demands of applications. The present research introduces a prediction based resource provisioning model for the allocation of resources in advance. The proposed approach facilitates the release of unused resources in the pool with quality of service (QoS), which is defined based on prediction model to perform the allocation of resources in advance. In this work, the model is used to determine the future workload prediction for user requests on web servers, and its impact toward achieving efficient resource provisioning in terms of resource exploitation and QoS. The main contribution of this paper is to develop the prediction model for efficient and dynamic resource provisioning to meet the requirements of end users