The Jobseeker’s Allowance Skills Conditionality Pilot

"The Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) Skills Conditionality Pilot was launched in April 2010 with the aim of exploring the labour market effects of mandating participation in training. The pilot targeted JSA claimants entering stage 3 of the Jobseeker’s Regime and Flexible New Deal (JRFND) who had an identified skills need. It was based on a random assignment design whereby the requirement to participate would be imposed on the basis of National Insurance number (NINO) to half of those referred to training. If carried out effectively, differences revealed through a comparison of outcomes post-randomisation can be viewed as being caused by the conditionality. This report presents the findings from two parallel studies of the pilot. The quantitative analysis used administrative data to provide details on the implementation of the pilot and whether it could be used to provide valid estimates of the impact of mandation. The qualitative analysis explored the experiences and views of participants in the pilots: principally mandated claimants and Jobcentre Plus advisers, but also training providers" -- page 1

Solvent-free synthesis of 2H-indazolo[2,1-b] phthalazine-triones promoted by cavitational phenomenon using iodine as catalyst

An environmentally benign, simple and efficient protocol for the synthesis of 2H-indazolo[2,1-b] phthalazine-triones by condensation of phthalhydrazide, aromatic aldehydes and dimedone under solvent-free ultrasound assisted conditions employing a safe, readily available iodine as catalyst has been described. This process is a valuable addition as it devoids the use of any solvent and takes place in short duration of time giving good yield of the products

Amberlite IR-120H: An improved reusable solid phase catalyst for the synthesis of nitriles under solvent free microwave irradiation

An efficient green protocol has been developed for the conversion of a range of aldehydes to the corresponding nitriles using a solid-phase reusable catalyst combined with microwave irradiation. The highlighting features of this method are short reaction time, environmentally compatible, reusability of the catalyst and good product yield

Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) Stimulates Expression of Integrin α6 in Human Breast Carcinoma Cells: A Downstream Modulator of TSP-1-Induced Cellular Adhesion

Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) is involved in a variety of different cellular processes including cell adhesion, tumor progression, and angiogenesis. This paper reports the novel finding that TSP-1 upregulates integrin α6 subunit in human keratinocytes and human breast cancer cells resulting in increased cell adhesion and tumor cell invasion. The effect of TSP-1 on α6 subunit expression was examined in human keratinocytes and breast adenocarcinoma cell lines (MDA-MB-231) treated with TSP-1 and in TSP-1 stably transfected breast cancer cells. TSP-1 upregulated α6 message and protein in these cells as revealed by differential display, Northern and Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical localization studies. The increased expression of α6 was shown to mediate adhesion and invasion of these cells to laminin, a major component of the basement membrane and extracellular matrix (ECM). These data suggest that TSP-1 plays an integral role in the attachment of cells to the ECM facilitating cell motility and angiogenesis

Evaluation of molecular diversity of ex situ conserved germplasm of palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer L.) accessions using RAPD markers

The genetic relationship of 96 palmyrah palms, consisting of 24 indigenous accessions from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, was investigated using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Hundred and eighty primers were used initially to identify the polymorphic primers in six random samples and 10 polymorphic primers were selected to amplify the 96 palms. These 10 primers produced a total of 112 reproducible bands and out of them, 41 fragments (36.6 %) showed polymorphism.  The number of bands produced with each primer varied from seven to 15 with an average of 11.2 bands per primer.  The percent polymorphism ranged from 7.7 to 71.4 with an average of 37.4 per cent when all the primers were taken collectively.  UPGMA grouped all the accessions into two major clusters at 0.85 similarity value. The highest similarity value (0.96) was observed between the accessions KLKM-8 and THY-54 and the lowest similarity value (0.782) was obtained between ANBI-17 and RCML-11. The relatively low polymorphism suggests a narrow genetic diversity of palmyrah populations from which the present accessions have been derived and maintained over the years

The taxonomy of Brachionus plicatilis species complex (Rotifera: Monogononta) from the Southern Kerala (India) with a note on their reproductive preferences

This paper deals with the species of Brackionu.s plicatilis complex (Rotifera: Monogononta) found in a brackishwater lake,Veli-Aakulam, in Southern Kerala. Morphological and reproductive potential studies revealed that these rotifers have sigiificant morphological distinction with regard to ecological preferences. The three related rotifers in our study were classified as Brachionu.~p licatilis Miiller, 1786, B. rotundifi)rmi.s Tschugunoff, 1921 and B. murrayi Fadeew, 1925. The fine morphology and morphometric data revealed that taxonomic characters were constant enough to recognize three well-defined morphologies and B. rrlurrayi is redescribed. The reproductive potential studies in relation to ecological parameters showed that the 'r' values of these rotifers were significantly influenced by salinity as well as temperature, and was species specific. In the light of reproductive preferences, the reorganization of three distinct species has been confirmed by this study and this would allow further comparative work in these lines on this economically important species complex

Histopathology of copper toxicity in the Indian edible oyster, Crassostrea madrasensis (Preston)

Indian edible oysters (Crassostrea madrasensis) of average size 6.4 +/- 1.2 cm x 4.3 +/- 0.8 cm were exposed to two sublethal concentrations of copper viz. 0.5 ppm and 1 pprn at a salinity of 12 ppt for a period of four weeks. Adductor muscle, mantle and gill tissues were dissected out and subjected to histological examination. The results revealed extensive damages to the adductor muscle, mantle and gills of the copper treated oysters. The maximum damage occurred in the epithelial cells of all the tissues studied in the oysters exposed to copper. It was also observed that the physiological responses such as opening and closure of the shell valves and feed filtration were impaired in the animals exposed to copper

Is Clinical Decision Making Skills are Developed through Academic Nurturing? A Review Based on Available Literature

Introduction: Today’s nurses are having challenges, demanding their ability to the profession. Nursing education should concentrate on educating competent health care providers to handle complex health care technology with fundamental implications for latest generation of patients. This paper aims to identify the various strategies used to enhance the clinical decision making ability among nurses. Methods: A comprehensive systematic review of published literature and journal articles from PubMed and Cinhal databases was done. Search strategy specific to each database was used. During initial search 6808 titles were retrieved and after screening 12 articles were selected for full text screening. Finally 12 research articles were selected based on the inclusion criteria. Results: Out of 12 articles, 7 research studies supported that clinical decision making can be developed using different types of simulation (such as human patient simulators, simulated clinical experiences, simulation to create rubric assessment). Two of those studies propose clinical reasoning abilities can be acquired through Outcome-Present state Test (OPT) model. Individual studies used strategies like concept mapping, educational interventions, analogy guided learning experiences, structured reflection in education and workshops can develop clinical decision making. Computer based and multimedia computer simulation program did not showing any clear outcome. Conclusion: Clinical decision making is an abstract skill which can be developed by using different strategies in different specialities and different situations.  Since situational factors and time constraints are evident in practice, findings were supportive for clinical decision making(CDM) skill. The ideal setting for students to learn CDM skills is real clinical practice environment, especially when facilitated by opportunities for immediate feedback and reflection. CDM is necessary for providing quality patient care and favouring patient satisfaction. Keywords: Decision making, Nurses, Judgement, Clinical Competenc

Recurrence of borderline ovarian tumors: a survival analysis

Background: Borderline ovarian tumors are non-invasive tumors that display greater epithelial proliferation and cytological atypia than benign tumors, but less than carcinomas. They may be treated conservatively in young women, however there is a concern for recurrence and progression to frank malignancy. We aimed to study the clinicopathological features of borderline ovarian tumors and their risk of recurrence.Methods: We reviewed the electronic and paper charts of all borderline ovarian tumors operated between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2019 at a tertiary level teaching hospital in India. Descriptive statistics such as proportions and means were used. A survival analysis was done for recurrence and death.Results: A total of 93 borderline ovarian tumor patients were identified. The most common histology in our study was mucinous 60 (63%) followed by serous 28 (29%). Ninety two (99%) of them were stage I at diagnosis. Microinvasion was present in 27 (26%) of the cases. Out of the 30 fertility sparing operations performed (unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy/cytectomy), 4 (13%) had recurrences and progressed to malignancy. The overall malignancy rate was 4%. There was one mortality secondary to septic shock.Conclusions: Borderline ovarian tumors account for 10-20% of ovarian epithelial tumors and have extremely good prognosis affecting majorly the reproductive aged women. The low recurrence rate and good five year survival rate, at all the stages of the disease enables to incorporate fertility sparing surgeries as part of the staging