Anterior capsular staining with trypan blue for capsulorhexis in mature and hypermature cataracts. A preliminary study

<b>Purpose:</b> To study the efficacy and safety of 0.1&#x0025; Trypan Blue dye to stain the anterior capsule for capsulorhexis in mature and hypermature cataracts. <b>Methods:</b> This preliminary study included 25 eyes of 25 patients with a unilateral mature or hypermature cataract, including one case of traumatic mature cataract. In all these cases 0.2ml of 0.1&#x0025; trypan blue dye was used to stain the anterior capsule. The efficacy and safety of the dye was evaluated on the basis of intraoperative and postoperative observations. <b>Results:</b> In all 25 eyes the capsulorhexis was completed. There was peripheral extension of the capsulorhexis in the eye with traumatic cataract and the stained edge of the anterior capsule helped identification and redirection of the capsulorhexis. Successful phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation was performed in all eyes. Adverse reactions related to the dye such as raised intraocular pressure, anterior chamber inflammation and endothelial damage were not observed in the immediate postoperative period or at the end of mean follow-up of 3 months. <b>Conclusion:</b> Trypan blue dye staining of the anterior capsule appears to be a very useful and safe technique that simplifies capsulorhexis in mature and hypermature cataracts

Impact of Institutional Pressures and Dynamic Capabilities on Sustainability Performance of Oil and Gas Sector

Purpose – Globally, the oil and gas industries are under pressure from numerous stakeholders for their sustainable operations against the backdrop of climate change, ecological damage, and social challenges. Drawing on the twin theoretical frameworks of the institutional theory and dynamic capability perspective, this study examines the impact of the institutional pressures and dynamic capabilities on the overall sustainability performance of oil and gas industry. Design/methodology/approach – This study uses survey method to analyze the responses from 275 middle management professionals of oil and gas industry in India using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Further, focused group discussions with the select industry leaders validate the empirical findings of this study. Findings – The research reveals that both institutional pressures and firm’s dynamic capabilities have significant positive impact on its economic and environmental performance in oil and gas sector in India. However, they do not have any impact on social performance, unlike earlier findings. Research limitations/implications – The main limitation of the study is generalizability of the findings given the cross-sectional design of the study. Practical implications – Insights of this study will help regulators and policy makers in formulating effective regulatory and policy frameworks, besides creating awareness amongst the organizations to simultaneously focus on all the three aspects of sustainability performance. Originality/value – The research has bearing on policy formulation and creating a regulatory ecosystem to ensure overall sustainability performance of oil and gas industry in India

Investigating the muti-scaling properties and connectedness of the sovereign bond yields: Hurst exponent and network analysis approach

Using daily yield data of 14 sovereign bond markets from emerging and developed economies from July 10, 2000, to July 10, 2022, we examine their scaling properties using generalized Hurst exponent and spectral density analysis and investigate the connectedness based on a network analysis approach. We consider the yields of 2-year and 10-year bond yields to investigate the scaling properties for short- and long-term sovereign bonds. This selection also allows us to examine sovereign bond spreads with respect to the USA. We also use regularized partial correlation network analysis to connect different countries in communities based on yields. We find that the scaling behavior of the bond yields for both terms fits well using the Hurst exponent and spectral analysis confirms this finding. Moreover, we also find that even though bonds in both cohorts show anti-persistent behavior except that of the USA, the developed economies' bond yields are relatively less anti-persistent as compared to those of emerging economies. The networks of both the 2-year and 10-year yields indicate community formation in various countries which provides diversification benefits to the investors. Most of the emerging countries are classified into one community in the long-tenure bonds as well but this concentration is more evident in the short-tenure bonds

Development of antibiotic resistance in Gram negative bacilli: An eye opener

Context: Antibiotic resistance is a global problem. Organisms are showing resistance to not only the conventional antibiotics but also to the higher generation drugs. This enormous amount of resistance faced is a serious threat to mankind and this is further accentuated by the fact that the antibiotic pipeline is fast drying up. We are now left with only a handful of antibiotics to deal with all infections - serious or otherwise. The present paper highlights the current scenario of drug resistance especially in nosocomial settings. Aims and Objectives: To determine the distribution of bacterial pathogens causing nosocomial infections and their antibiogram, a surveillance data from January to December 2011 was collected in Mohan Dai Oswal Hospital. A total of 1800 samples were taken of which maximum samples were urine (766) followed by blood (428) and pus (216), and so on. Settings and Design: This observational study was conducted in the microbiology department of a multispeciality hospital during January-December 2011. Materials and Methods: A total of 1800 samples from different sources were included in the study like pus, blood, urine, sputum, etc., which were taken from patients admitted in the hospital for more than a week. Gram negative bacilli were isolated, identified, and subjected to antibiotic sensitivity test. Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive statistics using percentages. Results: Out of the total 1800 samples included, maximum positivity was found in the pus samples (70%). Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) positivity was also maximum in the pus samples (90%). These ESBL positive organisms were further subjected to antibiotic sensitivity tests and huge amounts of resistance was noted to the conventional drugs including the higher end agents like Carbapenems. In light of this, newer drugs like Tigecycline, Colistin, and Polymyxin B were also tested. Barring Tigecycline, none showed favorable results. A noteworthy finding was the sensitivity of the urinary ESBL isolates to Nitrofurantoin. Conclusions: The situation is quite dangerous. The time is not far when we will be back in the dark ages of the preantibiotic era. The need of the hour is to be alert of the gravity of this situation and take necessary measures to halt its progress

Double orifice mitral valve: An incidental finding

A double orifice mitral valve (DOMV) represents a rare congenital malformation characterized by two valve orifices with two separate subvalvular apparatus. We present an interesting case of an asymptomatic 1 year and 8 months old male child with DOMV who successfully underwent surgery

Why consumers exaggerate in online reviews? Moral disengagement and dark personality traits

Diffusion of digital media has led to extensive reliance on online reviews for purchase decisions. However, consumers may routinely exaggerate about their own consumption experiences. Using moral disengagement theory and the dark personality trait , the present study seeks to enhance the understanding of consumers’ intentions to exaggerate about their consumption experience in online reviews. In order to demonstrate convergence of finding and replicability of the proposed relationships, four studies were conducted to examine consumers’ intention to exaggerate about their positive and negative experiences in online reviews for search and experience products respectively. Findings showed significant positive relationships between dark personality traits and intention to exaggerate in online reviews. Furthermore, moral disengagement significantly mediated intention to exaggerate for narcissists and psychopaths. The results reinforce the usefulness of the study for managers as these studies augment the understanding of consumer lying behavior in the context of online reviews and offer insights into mechanisms that might prevent the amplification of such reviews

Avoiding unanticipated power outages: households’ willingness to pay in India

Reliable electricity is a key factor in improving the living conditions of households and sustainable development of the country. Power outages restrict economic and social welfare of developing countries. This study used contingent valuation survey to elicit the factors affecting Indian household’s willingness to pay to avoid unanticipated power outages. The survey was outlined to ensure that a household gives preferences considering multiple aspects of the outages. The households were asked to state their willingness to pay for five different types of outages. Empirical data from 1043 Indian households were analyzed using double hurdle approach. The econometric results indicate that the households’ willingness to pay to avoid power outage strictly depend on the length of outages ranging, on average, from 30.2 INR (2 hours) to INR. 245.6 (12 hours). Further income and environmental attitude of respondents positively influence higher WTP to avoid power outages. Our findings provide useful insights for policy makers and utility companies to design more reliable and customer centric energy generation and distribution models