Digital Library Environment: Implications on E-learning

The paper discusses about the digital library initiatives in context of digital learning environment as both the environments are coming closer as the demand of time. It also highlights the significance of learning objects in e-learning environment along with the brief introduction of some major learning objects repositories of various disciplines. The paper outlines some functional requirements of learning objects

Information Literacy among Research Scholars of University of Jammu in an Electronic Environment: A case study

Information literacy refers to the abilities of an individual in identifying, retrieving, and utilising appropriate and required information. The present study attempts to examine the information literacy skills of the research scholars of University of Jammu. For data collection, a well semi-structured questionnaire was framed and distributed among 270 research scholars of the University of Jammu. Out of 270 questionnaires, 236 were received back from 90 male and 146 female research scholars respectively. It is observed that majority (81%) of the research scholars have knowledge of simple search techniques compared to the other search technique. Based on the findings, necessary suggestions were made by the researcher for providing effective and proper information literacy among research scholars. The result of the study reflects that information literacy program should be incorporated in the course curriculum and more awareness is required among students on online databases and digital resources that will make the students more information literate. Users need awareness regarding the use of OPAC in the search and retrieval of information and also needs awareness about different search strategies in refining the search and in the use of Boolean Operator (AND, OR, NOT)

Patterns of Productivity in Information Retrieval (IR) Literature: A Study of the Scientometric Distributions

The present paper aims to analyse the patterns of productivity in the information retrieval literature during the period of ten years i.e. (2009-2018). The study covers a total number of 4238 records indexed in the Scopus database. Out of a total of 4238 publications, a maximum 1915 records were contributed by two authors, followed by three authors with1176 contributions. A total of 17829 citations were recorded on 4238 publications and the maximum (29.67) annual growth was recorded in 2010 from the marked period of study. The overall relative growth was shown in fluctuating trend and lie between (0.16 to 0.83) while the doubling time was lies between (0.83 to 4.42). The average degree of authors collaborations was (0.94) recorded. The average collaboration coefficient (CC) and the collaborative index was (0.58) and (2.76) recorded respectively. Varma, V. from (International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad) was the most productive author with 45 publications; h-index 15; and a total citation 864. The maximum 2847 (67.18%) of publications in information retrieval were published in conference. In the field of computer science, the maximum 3370 publications were published. However, the maximum 177 research papers were contributed by Anna University while the maximum 15 publications were funded by the department of science and technology, Ministry of science and technology. Lecture Notes in Computer Science Including Subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics was the most prolific source title with 224 publications while the most significant keyword was ‘Information Retrieval’ with 2963 publications during the period of study

Effect of methonolic extract of Vitex negundo on haloperidol induced catalepsy in albino mice

Background: Plants are being used in traditional medicine since history of mankind. The knowledge of these medicinal plants has accrued in the course of many centuries leading to medicinal systems in India such as Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha. Objective: In the present study, we evaluated the anticataleptic efficacy of Vitex negundo, a polyherbal formulation in haloperidol induced catalepsy in mice.Methods: Five groups (n=6) of male albino mice were used in the study. Catalepsy was induced by i.p. administration of haloperidol (1 mg/kg). The degree of catalepsy (cataleptic score) was measured as the time the animal maintained an imposed posture. We compared the anticataleptic efficacy of Vitex negundo (50, 100, 200 mg/kg) with standard received Pheniramine maleate 10 mg/kg, i.p.Results: In vehicle treated animals, haloperidol (1 mg/kg. i.p.) produced the maximum catalepsy at 180 min (46.78±3.78 min). Standard treated as Pheniramine maleate 10 mg/kg, i.p. shows maximum at 120 min. 19.24±1.32. Test herb, i.p. Methanolic extract of Vitex negundo (50, 100, 200 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly potentiated haloperidol induced catalepsy at each time interval, in a dose dependent manner. At dose 50, 100 and 200mg/kg, extract of Vitex negundo (Linn.) roots showed maximum cataleptic score 12.34±0.78, 14.43±0.43 and 15.43±0.67 min, respectively at 120 minutes in haloperidol treated animals.Conclusions: The present study indicates that the methanolic extract of Vitex negundo reduces haloperidol-induced catalepsy in mice

Pre and per operative prediction of difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy using clinical and ultrasonographic parameters

Background: Cholecystectomy is the procedure of choice for symptomatic gall stones. Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (LC) may be rendered difficult by various problems encountered during surgery. Several factors have been implicated with a difficult case, but no reliable criteria are available yet to identify patients preoperatively with a difficult LC. Preoperative prediction of a difficult LC can help the patient as well as the surgeon prepare better for the intraoperative risk and the risk of conversion to open cholecystectomy. The present study was undertaken to evaluate role of various factors responsible for conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy and also to study the intraoperative problems faced by the surgeon responsible for conversion in order to make the procedure safer for the patient as well as the surgeon.Methods: In 50 consecutive patients who underwent LC during 2013 to 2014 patient’s characteristics, clinical history, laboratory data, ultrasonography results and intraoperative details were prospectively analyzed to determine predictors of difficult LC.Results: Of 50 patients 3 (06%) required conversion to open cholecystectomy. Significant predictors of conversion were obscured anatomy of Calot’s due to adhesions, sessile gall bladder, male gender and gall bladder wall thickness >3 mm.Conclusions: With preoperative clinical and ultrasonographic parameters, proper patient selection can be made to help predict difficult LC and a likelihood of conversion to open cholecystectomy.

Salmonella typhimurium meningitis in an immunocompetent infant

Meningitis due to Salmonella is rare and associated with high morbidity, mortality, and relapse rates despite adequate treatment.Here, we report a case of meningitis due to Salmonella typhimurium in an immunocompetent infant. The child was brought to thepediatric emergency department with complaints of high-grade fever, loose motions, vomiting, and irritability of 3-day duration.Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was suggestive of acute bacterial meningitis, and the child was started on intravenous ceftriaxone.The CSF and blood cultures grew S. typhimurium and the treatment was accordingly modified. His serum immunoglobulin levelswere normal, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for HIV was negative. Clinical course, antibiotic treatment, and outcomeof the case are discussed here